THE DISTRIBUTION OF MERCURY, CESIUM-137, AND PLUTONIUM IN AN INTERMITTENT-STREAM AT LOS-ALAMOS

This paper summarizes the results of a study on the distribution of Hg and three radionuclides in channel sediments and adjacent bank soils in an intermittent stream used for treated liquid effluent disposal since 1963. Concentrations were comparable to adjacent channel sediments demonstrating that the stream bank serves as a deposition site for chemicals released to the channel. Concentrations of the radionuclides and mercury were more uniformly distributed with distance and depth in the channel sediments than in the bank soils. The action of periodic surface water in the channel partially explains those differences. Statistical analysis revealed that 50 to 85% of the variability in contaminant concentrations in bank and channel locations was due to variation with distance while depth contributed relatively little to variability.