Radiocarbon in seawater intruding into the Israeli mediterranean coastal aquifer

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 δ¹³C values in saline groundwater (average of -5.3% versus 0% in seawater) indicate that the dissolved carbon pool is comprised of a significant fraction of organic carbon. A linear negative correlation between δ¹³C and ¹⁴C implies that this organic source is old (low ¹⁴C values).