Geochemistry of Sediment Samples at TA-54, Los Alamos National Laboratory

A statistical evaluation of sediment data from Technical Area 54, Los Alamos National Laboratory, was used to examine the relation of concentrations of a series of inorganic and radionuclide analytes to general geographic setting and sediment texture. Significant differences exist between results from the north and south sides of Mesita del Buey, with analyte concentrations being generally higher to the north. These differences probably result primarily from variations in background levels in the source materials for the sediments, perhaps reflecting finer particle sizes and/or better developed soils on the north side of the mesa