Heavy metal contamination in groundwaters affected by Tsunami occurred in 2011 and its mechanism

Abstract

Groundwater and river water chemistry in Miyagi Prefecture were investigated in relation to Tsunami occurred in the 11th of March 2011. The samples ware taken from the March to November 2012. Groundwater in the inland area was rarely affected by anthropogenic activities. Salinization (~500 mg/L Cl) was occasionally observed in shallow groundwaters of the Tsunami affected area. Metal contamination in those groundwaters was not serious except Fe and Mn, which would be released via reduction of sulfate in the seawater.