Throughfall deposition of N and S to mangrove ecosystems in the Southeast of Mexico

In this study throughfall deposition of inorganic nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) was measured during six months at Carmen Island, a complex site within a Natural Protected Area and near to gas and oil production offshore platforms. A passive throughfall collector based on a mixed bed (cation and anion resin) ion exchange resin (IER) column was used to collect thirteen samples in a multiple transects design along Carmen Island in Campeche, Mexico. Ammonium, sulfate and nitrate ions retained by the resin were extracted within the same column with 2N KCl and analyzed colorimetrically. Throughfall deposition fluxes for N (as N-NH4 + + N-NO3 ) and S (as SO4 2) at Carmen Island were 2.15 and 4.7 Kg ha -1 yr -1 , respectively. N deposition flux did not exceed the critical loads proposed for sensitive ecosystems, however, S deposition flux is already in the threshold limit value proposed for sensitive ecosystems in Europe and U.S. Considering that data presented in this study are preliminary data, since only data corresponding to the first six months of the sampling campaign of one year are reported, S and N deposition fluxes were sub-estimated, therefore, it is necessary to continue measuring throughfall deposition. Key-Words: Throughfall deposition-N Deposition-S-Deposition-Atmospheric Deposition Fluxes-Carmen Island.