A study on unconfined groundwater of water level fluctuations in the Hokusei area, Mie Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a decrease in paddy field area due to urbanization and land use conversion, leading to declining groundwater levels in downstream rural areas. This trend of decreasing paddy field area is observed nationwide. Meanwhile, changes in precipitation patterns, such as intense rainfall events, impact the rainfall-infiltration process and necessitate understanding their effects. Thus, this study aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of unconfined groundwater and elucidate groundwater recharge mechanisms in Mie Prefecture's Kitasei region, which serves as a water source for the municipal water supply.