Storm Surge and Sediment Process Owing to Hurricane Isidore in Terminos Lagoon, Campeche

The hydrodynamic response of Terminos Lagoon to the passage of Hurricane Isidore is presented. The field data analysis shows the changes of the hydrodynamic currents in the Carmen and Puerto Real inlets, as well as the water level elevation in the marine front and the interior of the Terminos Lagoon, due to the storm surge from the ocean, and the large fresh water discharges from land to the lagoon. Finally a brief interpretation of the system behavior is made, showing that in spite the large distance between the lagoon system and the hurricane trajectory (250 km), important effects in the hydrodynamics and sediment transport rates were reported. The identification of the hydrodynamic and sediment transport response to extreme events can help to better understand the physics of such systems, and can be applied to water quality, and mass transport studies in semi-enclosed coastal bodies.