Shallow groundwater intrusion to deeper depths caused by construction and drainage of a large underground facility; Estimation using H, CFCs and SF as trace materials

Hagiwara, Hiroki  ; Iwatsuki, Teruki  ; Hasegawa, Takuma*; Nakata, Kotaro*; Tomioka, Yuichi*

This study evaluates a method to estimate shallow groundwater intrusion in and around a large underground research facility (Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory - MIU). Water chemistry, stable isotopes (D and O), tritium (H), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF) in groundwater were monitored around the facility (from 20 m down to a depth of 500 m), for a period of 5 years. The results show that shallow groundwater inflows into deeper groundwater at depths of between 200-400 m. In addition, the content of shallow groundwater estimated using H and CFC-12 concentrations is up to a maximum of about 50%. This is interpreted as the impact on the groundwater environment caused by construction and operation of a large facility over several years. The concomitant use of H and CFCs is an effective method to determine the extent of shallow groundwater inflow caused by construction of an underground facility.