Multiple‐indicator study of the response of groundwater recharge sources to highly turbid river water after a landslide in the Tedori River alluvial fan, Japan

Abstract

AbstractThe large volume of groundwater stored in the Tedori River alluvial fan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, is an important source of local drinking and industrial water. The Tedori River was observed to be highly turbid from the beginning of May 2015 to at least November 2017 due to a landslide in the upper reach of the river. After the landslide, the groundwater level was drawn down by several to 10 m near the middle river section during paddy irrigation periods in 2015 and 2016. This study addresses the impacts of the highly turbid water on groundwater recharge from the river and paddy fields. In 2016, we sampled groundwater, river water, paddy irrigation water, paddy ponding water, and precipitation five times at 2‐month intervals. We analysed the H, O, and Sr stable isotopic compositions and major dissolved ion (and Sr) concentrations and compared our data to previous data obtained in June 2011. Ca, Sr, Cl, SO4, and TN concentrations and δ18O values were higher in June 2016 than in June 2011; these increases were more extreme along the left bank of the Tedori River than along the right bank. We explored the mixing of Tedori River water with groundwater using a two‐endmember mixing model based on their Sr concentrations and isotopic compositions. Compared to June 2011, mixing ratios were decreased near the Tedori River in 2016, and larger decreases were observed along the left bank and in the middle stream area. These results confirm that the contribution to groundwater recharge from the river decreased during the turbidity event, particularly along the left bank.