Sediment Monitoring
General Information
Sediment transport associated with surface water runoff is a significant mechanism for contaminant movement. Contaminants originating from airborne deposition, effluent discharges, or unplanned releases can become attached to soils or sediments by adsorption or ion exchange. For this reason, sediments are sampled in all major canyons that cross the Laboratory, and in regional reservoirs and stream channels.
Sediment monitoring is accomplished through the Canyons Investigations required by the NMED Order on Consent. The chemical and radioactive contamintants in canyons' sediments are characterized and monitored. Human health and ecologicall assessments are performed using these data to determine if cleanup or soil stabilitzation activities are required.
