Environmental sampling efforts and how they inform cleanup decisions was the key topic of discussion at a recent Environmental Management Cleanup Forum in Los Alamos.
Office of Environmental Management
August 6, 2024
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LOS ALAMOS, N.M. — Environmental sampling efforts and how they inform cleanup decisions was the key topic of discussion at a recent Environmental Management Cleanup Forum in Los Alamos.
The U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office (EM-LA) and Newport News Nuclear BWXT Los Alamos (N3B) host the forums as part of a commitment to keep stakeholders and the community informed on the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) legacy cleanup.
The forum was also an opportunity for new EM-LA Manager Jessica Kunkle to introduce herself to the public. Kunkle shared her desire to maintain strong engagement with stakeholders, pueblos and local communities. EM-LA Deputy Manager Ellie Gilbertson provided an update on some EM-LA top priorities, including the Hexavalent Chromium Project Expert Technical Review and EM-LA Strategic Vision.
N3B Environmental Remediation Program Manager Troy Thomson discussed how N3B conducts a robust sampling program to identify the nature and extent of the contamination, determine its risk, adhere to federal and state standards, and receive the regulatory approval to remediate, if necessary. Thomson highlighted how the program helps verify the effectiveness of legacy waste cleanup operations at LANL.
Thomson covered the process N3B takes to sample groundwater and surface water, soils and known disposal sites for legacy contaminants of concern and their sources. Groundwater monitoring locations include springs and regional aquifer wells, which can be up to 1,200 feet deep.
The low-head weir pictured is one of many stormwater controls that help prevent contaminated sediment from being transported downstream. Other types of controls include berms, detention basins and grade-control structures. All are included in an annual maintenance and inspection program.
Thomson also provided examples of stormwater run-on and runoff controls, such as earthen and rock berms, and riprap, which is rocky material to prevent erosion. N3B samples soil and stormwater in canyons and watersheds across LANL. Currently, 193 stormwater sample sites are monitored.
From May 2018 to June 2024, N3B collected 22,770 water samples; 15,549 soil and sediment samples; and 3,879 vapor samples. All sampling data is available through the IntellusNM public portal. Documents and reports for the LANL legacy cleanup are located in EM-LA’s Electronic Public Reading Room.
Following Thomson’s presentation, the floor was opened to all attendees, both in person and virtually, for questions and comments on sampling and other topics on the legacy cleanup.
The next forum is set to take place this fall.
-Contributors: Stephanie Gallagher, Elicia Sacco-Williams
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