Abstract

In this study, we investigated the subtidal and tidal variability of the along-shore and the cross-shore velocity compo-nent of currents in a marine protected area of the Measoamerican reef system and their implications for larval and pollutants transport. The study was undertaken in the marine protected area National Park Reef of Xcalak (Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak) by using a two year period of current data collected with an Acoustic Doppler profilers (ADP) deployed offshore the reef site. Results of principal component analysis and power spectral analysis for the along-shore and cross-shore compo-nents are presented. The processes for dispersal and transport of larvae and pollutants from the current results in this reef site are suggested.