Radiocarbon in Seawater Intruding into the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Aquifer

Abstract

Saline groundwaters from the Israeli coastal aquifer were analyzed for their radiocarbon and tritium content to assess the rate of seawater penetration. The low 14C values (28-88 pMC versus 100-117 pMC in seawater) imply an apparent non-recent seawater source, or water-rock interactions along the penetration route. The latter process is supported by measurable tritium values at some locations, which imply a relatively rapid rate of seawater intrusion. In other locations, low tritium values (<2 T.U.) indicate that recent seawater (<50 yr) did not penetrate inland. The low delta-13C values in saline groundwater (average of -5.3 per mil versus 0 per mil in seawater) indicate that the dissolved carbon pool is comprised of a significant fraction of organic carbon. A linear negative correlation between delta-13C and 14C implies that this organic source is old (low 14C values).