Resumen
Groundwater dynamics near the saltwater?freshwater interface were investigated in an island of the Seto Inland Sea, using multiple tracers (dD, d18O, Cl-, SF6, and 14C) 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- concentration. Based on the d18O 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 SF6 and 14C 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%).