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| Field survey for gross gamma radiation in Los Alamos Canyon. This site is downstream of effluent release sites where 137-Cs was discharged, along with other radionuclides such as 238-Pu, 239-Pu, 240-Pu, 241-Am, and 90-Sr. 137-Cs is a strong gamma emitter and, as gamma radiation is easily measured in the field, delineation of the extent of contamination can be quickly made with field instruments. The person in the photo is obtaining gross gamma readings every 1-second, and these are tied to x-y coordinates using an USRADS radio telemetry system. These data are then down-loaded into a Geographic Information System (GIS), allowing rapid plotting and analysis of the data. Subsequent sampling for laboratory analyses are based on these field surveys, in combination with geomorphic mapping. These investigations are ultimately used to perform human and ecological risk assessments, upon which decisions are made concerning appropriate remediation strategies . |
