Groundwater Dynamics near the Saltwater–Freshwater Interface in an Island of Seto Inland Sea

oleh: Yusuke Tomozawa, Shin-ichi Onodera, Mitsuyo Saito, Kazuyoshi Asai

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-04-01

Deskripsi

Groundwater dynamics near the saltwater–freshwater interface were investigated in an island of the Seto Inland Sea, using multiple tracers (δD, δ<sup>18</sup>O, Cl<sup>−</sup>, SF<sub>6</sub>, and <sup>14</sup>C) at two coastal groundwater monitoring wells at depths of 10–40 m. The groundwater recharge area and age were also estimated using these tracers. Additionally, bedrock groundwater at a depth of 40 m at the 2.7 m altitude was brackish and considered to be near the saltwater–freshwater interface, and a mixture of seawater (2–3.5%) and fresh groundwater (97–98%) was estimated by the Cl<sup>−</sup> concentration. Based on the δ<sup>18</sup>O of fresh groundwater estimated from the seawater mixing ratio, the recharge area was estimated to range from near to above the summit; however, this region is unlikely to be the actual recharge area, as the groundwater may be old freshwater that was recharged during a previously colder period. Groundwater dating using SF<sub>6</sub> and <sup>14</sup>C suggests that the fresh groundwater originated during the last glacial period (assumed 20,000 years ago) and that the 40 m deep bedrock groundwater is a mixture of old water (0–28%), 30 m deep groundwater (76–100%), and stagnant seawater (1–3%).