Soils, Foodstuffs & Biota Monitoring

Overview

Soil, Foodstuffs and Biota Overview

The Soils, Foodstuffs & Biota team at LANL monitors soils, foodstuffs, and biota (plants and animals) collected within and around the Laboratory to help determine the impacts of Laboratory operations on human health and the human food chain. These studies are required by DOE Orders and are among the oldest environmental surveillance programs at the Laboratory, going back nearly 30 years. Team members have expertise in soil and plant chemistry, radioecology, ecology, statistics, biota dose assessments, and ecological risk assessment.

The team annually collects samples from the Laboratory, perimeter communities (Los Alamos, White Rock, and various Pueblos), and regional (background) sampling points. These samples are analyzed for radionuclides, radioactivity, trace elements (including heavy metals), and organic compounds to determine potential uptake (contamination) by plants, animals, and humans; radiation doses; and changes in contamination levels over time.

Data

Soil, Foodstuffs and Biota Data

All soil, foodstuffs and biota data are published in the Environmental Surveillance Report. Special studies are reported in Los Alamos National Laboratory reports and peer reviewed journals.

Posters

Soil, Foodstuffs and Biota Posters

Recent Posters

• Fresquez, P.R. 2006. Potential Uptake of Radionuclides by Biota Behind a Sediment Retention Structure in Los Alamos Canyon at Los Alamos National Laboratory after the Cerro Grande Fire Health Physics 90 (6): S86.
• Fresquez, P.R., L. Vasquez-Tator, and E.A. Lopez.  2005.  Tritium Concentrations in Vegetation as a Function of Distance from a Low-Level Waste Site at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  Health Physics 89(1):S4.
• Fresquez, P.R., L. Soholt, K. Bennett and G.J. Gonzales. 2003. Radionuclides in Fish Downstream of Los Alamos National Laboratory After the Cerro Grande Fire. Health Physics, 84 (6) S156
• Fresquez, P.R., W.R. Velasquez, and L. Naranjo. 2002. Effects of the Cerro Grande fire (smoke and fallout ash) on Possible Contaminants in Soils and Crops Downwind of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Health Physics, 82 (6) S119-S120
• Fresquez, P.R., A.C. Hayes and W.F. Whicker. 2001. Assessing potential risks from exposure to natural uranium in well water: Nambe, New Mexico. Health Physics 80 (6): S99.
• Fresquez, P.R., J. Huchton, M.A. Mullen, and L. Naranjo, Jr,. 2000. Radionuclides in pinon pine (Pinus edulis) tree shoots and nuts from Los Alamos National Laboratory lands. Health Physics 78 (6): S83.
• Fresquez, P.R., D.H. Kraig, M.A. Mullen, and L. Naranjo, Jr. 1999. Radionuclide concentrations in fish collected from the confluences of major canyons that cross Los Alamos National Laboratory lands with the Rio Grande. Health Physics 76 (6): S118
• Ferenbaugh, J.K., P.R. Fresquez, M.H. Ebinger, G.J. Gonzales, and P.A. Jordan. 1998. Human health risk assessment related to the consumption of elk and deer that forage around the perimeter of a low-level radioactive waste disposal site at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Health Physics, 74 (6):S28.
• Fresquez, P.R., D.A. Armstrong, and M.A. Mullen. 1997. Radionuclide concentrations, trends, and dose comparisons in soils collected from within and around Los Alamos National Laboratory: 1974-1996. Health Physics, 72 (6):S65-66.
• Fresquez, P.R. and D.R. Armstrong. 1996. Radionuclide concentrations in bees and honey in the vicinity of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Health Physics 70 (6):S69.

Publications

Soil, Foodstuffs and Biota Publications

Recent Publications

• Fresquez, P.R. 2007. Beryllium in Surface Soils Collected Within and Around Los Alamos National Laboratory: 1992-2006. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14318. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., J.K. Ferenbaugh, and L. Naranjo, Jr. 2007. Moisture Conversion Ratios for the Foodstuffs and (Nonfoodstuffs) Biota Environmental Surveillance Programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory (Revision 3), Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-07-0280. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2006. The Characterization of Biotic and Abiotic Media Up-Gradient and Down-Gradient of the Los Alamos Canyon Weir: Revision 1. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14308-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Gonzales, G.J., P.R. Fresquez, C.D. Hathcock, and D.C. Keller. 2006. Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmental Media around the Dual-Axis Radiographic hydrodynamic Test Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14291-PR. Los Alamos, NM
• Fresquez, P.R. 2006. Soils and Sediments. pp 7-15. In: Gonzales et al., Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmental Media around the Dual-Axis Radiographic hydrodynamic Test Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14291-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2006. Vegetation. pp 17-23. In: Gonzales et al., Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmental Media around the Dual-Axis Radiographic hydrodynamic Test Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14291-PR. Los Alamos, NM
• Hathcock, C., P.R. Fresquez, and D. Keller. 2006. Honey Bees. pp 25-32. In: Gonzales et al., Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Environmental Media around the Dual-Axis Radiographic hydrodynamic Test Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory during 2005. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14291-PR. Los Alamos, NM
• Gonzales, G.J. and P.R. Fresquez. 2006. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Predator and Bottom-Feeding Fish from Abiquiu and Cochiti Reservoirs in North-Central New Mexico. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14289. Los Alamos, NM.
• Salazar, S., M. McNaughton, and P.R. Fresquez. 2006. Concentration Ratios for Cesium and Strontium in Produce near Los Alamos. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14287. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2006. The Characterization of Biotic and Abiotic Media Up-Gradient and Down-Gradient of the Los Alamos Canyon Weir. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14268-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2005. Radionuclides in Small Mammals Collected at the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility During 2001-2003. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14192-MS.
• Fresquez, P.R., Lars Soholt, and Ed Lopez. 2005. Radionuclide Contaminant Analysis of Small Mammals at Area G, Technical Area 54, 2001 Through 2003 (With a Cumulative Summary for 1994 Through 2003), Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14193-MS.
• Fresquez, P.R., M. McNaughton, and M.J. Winch. 2005. Radionuclide Concentrations in Soils and Vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 2005 Growing Season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14252-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2005. The Effects of the Cerro Grande Fire (Smoke and Fallout Ash) on Possible Contaminants in Foodstuffs Downwind and Downstream of Los Alamos National Laboratory: 2000-2004. pp. 21. In: Abstracts of the New Mexico Environmental Conference 2005, October 31-November 3, Albuquerque, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., J.W. Nyhan, and E.L. Taylor. 2004. Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetation Around the DARHT Facility during 2003. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14099-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Budd, R.L., G.J. Gonzales, P.R. Fresquez, and E.A. Lopez. 2004. The Uptake and Distribution of Buried Radionuclides by Pocket Gophers (Thomomys bottae). Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A—Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, 39(3): 611-625.
• Fresquez, P.R., J.W. Nyhan, and E. Lopez. 2004. Radionuclide Concentrations in Soils and Vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 2003 Growing Season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14108-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J., P.R. Fresquez, R. Velasquez, and E. Lopez. 2004. Radionuclide Concentrations in Soils and Vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 2002 Growing Season. (With a Summary of Radionuclide Concentrations in Soils and Vegetation Since 1980). Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14095-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., J.K. Ferenbaugh, and L. Naranjo, Jr. 2004. Moisture Conversion Ratios for the Foodstuffs and (Nonfoodstuffs) Biota Environmental Surveillance Programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory (Revision 2), Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-04-4122. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. and G.J. Gonzales. 2004. Radionuclide Concentrations in Vegetation at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2002/2003. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14160-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., 2004. Mercury in Fish Collected Upstream and Downstream of Los Alamos National Laboratory: 1991-2004. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14172-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2004. Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetation Around the DARHT Facility during 2004. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14176-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. and E. Lopez. 2004. Radionuclide Concentrations in Soils and Vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 2004 Growing Season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14181-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Gonzales, G.J. and P.R. Fresquez. 2003. Polychlorinated Byphenyls (PCBs) in Catfish and Carp Collected from the Rio Grande Upstream and Downstream of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14001. Los Alamos, NM.
• Soholt, L., G.J. Gonzales, P.R. Fresquez, K. Bennett and E. Lopez. 2003. Estimating Radiological Doses to Predators Foraging on a Low-Level Waste Management Area. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13999. Los Alamos, NM.
• Haarmann, T.K. and P.R. Fresquez. 2003. Radionuclide Concentrations in Honey Bees from Area G at TA-54 during 2002. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-03-3548. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J.W., P.R. Fresquez, and E.L. Taylor. 2003. Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetation Around the DARHT Facility during 2002. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-14056-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., L. Vasquez-Tator, and E.A. Lopez. 2003. Tritium Concentrations in Vegetation as a Function of Distance from a Low-Level Waste Site at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratoy report LA-14091-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Hayes, A.C., P.R. Fresquez, and W.F. Whicker. 2002. Assessing potential risks from exposure to natural uranium in well water. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 59 (1): 29-40.
• Kraig, D., R. Ryti, D. Katzman, T. Buhl, B. Gallaher and P. Fresquez. 2002. Radiological and nonradiological effects after the Cerro Grande Fire. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13914. Los Alamos, NM.
• Bennett, K.D., R.J. Robinson, and P.R. Fresquez. 2002. Radionuclide contaminant analysis of small mammals at Area G, Technical Area-54, 1998 (with cumulative summary for 1994-1998). Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13874-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Ferenbaugh, J.K., P.R. Fresquez, M.H. Ebinger, G.J. Gonzales, and P.A. Jordan. 2002. Radionuclides in Soil and Water Near a Low-level Disposal Site and Potential Ecological and Human Health Impacts. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 74:242-254.
• Gonzales, G.J. and P.R. Fresquez. 2002. Contaminant Concentrations in Burned Conifer Tree Bark Collected Within the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-02-705. Los Alamos, NM.
• Haarmann, T.K. and P.R. Fresquez. 2002. Radionuclide Concentrations in Honey Bees From Area G at TA-54 during 2001. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-02-2728. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J., P.R. Fresquez, R. Velasquez, and E. Lopez. 2002. Radionuclide Concentrations in Soils and Vegetation at Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Area G during the 2001 Growing Season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13942-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J.W., P.R. Fresquez, H.T. Haagenstad, and R. Velasquez. 2002. Concentrations of Radionuclides and Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetation Around the DARHT Facility during 2001. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13963-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Kuhne, W.W., C.A. Caldwell, W.R. Gould, and P.R. Fresquez, and Susan Finger. 2002. Effects of Depleted Uranium on the Health and Survival of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Hyallela azteca. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 21 (10) 2198-2203.
• Soholt, L.F., G. Gonzales, P. Fresquez, K. Bennett and E. Lopez. 2002. Estimating Radiological Doses to Predators Foraging on a Low-Level Waste Management Area. pp. 160. In: Abstracts Presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 23rd Annual Meeting in North America. (Salt Lake City, UT, November 16-20, 2002).
• Fresquez, P.R., L. Soholt, K. Bennett and G.J. Gonzales. 2002. Radionuclide Concentrations in Predator and Bottom-Feeding Fish Upstream and Downstream of Los Alamos National Laboratory: 1976 to 2002 (With Special Reference to the La Mesa and Cerro Grande Fires). Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13998-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J.W., P.R. Fresquez, H.T. Haagenstad, and R. Velasquez. 2001. Concentrations of radionuclides and trace elements in soils and vegetation around the DARHT facility during the 2000 Growing Season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13866-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Kraig, D., R. Ryti, D. Katzman, T. Buhl, B. Gallaher and P. Fresquez. 2001. Radiological and nonradiological effects after the Cerro Grande Fire. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-01-6868. Los Alamos, NM.
• Biggs, J., K. Bennett, and P. Fresquez. 2001. Relationship between home range characteristics and the probability of obtaining successful global positioning system (GPS) collar positions for elk in New Mexico. Western North American Naturalist 61 (2): 213-222.
• Fresquez, P.R., W.R. Velasquez, and L. Naranjo, Jr. 2001. Effects of the Cerro Grande Fire (Smoke and Fallout Ash) on Possible Contaminant Levels in Soils and Crops Downwind of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13842-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J.W., P.R. Fresquez, T. Haarmann, K. Bennett, T. Haagenstad, K. Keller and H. Hinojosa. 2001. Baseline concentrations of radionuclides and trace elements in soils, sediments, vegetation, small mammals, birds, and bees around the DARHT facility: construction phase (1996 through 1999). Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13808-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., Nyhan, J.W., H.T. Haagenstad, and R. Velasquez. 2001. Baseline concentrations of radionuclides and trace elements in soils, sediments and vegetation around the DARHT facility. pp. 13-40. In: Baseline concentrations of radionuclides and trace elements in soils, sediments, vegetation, small mammals, birds, and bees around the DARHT facility: construction phase (1996 through 1999). Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13808-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Bennett, K., J. Biggs, P.R. Fresquez, and H.T. Haagenstad. 2001. DARHT facility small mammal baseline report for radionuclides (1997-1999). pp. 41-50. In: Baseline concentrations of radionuclides and trace elements in soils, sediments, vegetation, small mammals, birds, and bees around the DARHT facility: construction phase (1996 through 1999). Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13808-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J.W., P.R. Fresquez, W.R. Velasquez, and E.A. Lopez. 2001. Radionuclide concentrations in soils at low-level radioactive waste disposal Area G during the 2000 growing season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13864-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Gonzales, G.J., P.R. Fresquez, and C.M. Bare. 2001. Contaminant Concentrations in Conifer Tree Bark and Wood Following the Cerro Grande Fire. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-UR-01-6157. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., J.D. Huchton, M.A. Mullen, and L. Naranjo, Jr,. 2000. Pinon pine tree study, Los Alamos National Laboratory: source document. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13693-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Kuhne, W.W., C.A. Caldwell, W.R. Gould, and P.R. Fresquez. 2000. Effects of depleted uranium on the survival and health of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Hyallela azteca. 33rd Joint Annual Meeting of the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Sierra Vista, AZ (Feburary 3-5, 2000).
• Gonzales, G.J., P.R. Fresquez, M.A. Mullen, and L. Naranjo, Jr. 2000. Radionuclide concentrations in vegetation at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1998. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13704-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Haarmann, T.K. and P.R. Fresquez. 2000. Radionuclide concentrations in honey bees from Area G at TA-54 during 1999. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13733-PR. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., J. Huchton, M.A. Mullen, and L. Naranjo, Jr,. 2000. Radionuclides in pinon pine (Pinus edulis) nuts collected from Los Alamos National Laboratory lands and the dose from consumption. Journal of Environmental Science and Health 35 (5): 611–622.
• Gonzales, G.J., R.L., Budd, P.R. Fresquez, and R.J. Wechsler. 2000. Source document: The relationship between pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae) and the distribution of buried radioactive waste at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13719-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R. 2000. The Foodstuffs Surveillance Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. pp. 1-6. In: Proceedings of the 26th MAES International Symposium and Career Fair, Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (Albuquerque, NM,October 7-11, 2000).
• Hayes, A.C., P.R. Fresquez, and W.F. Whicker. 2000. Uranium uptake study, Nambe, New Mexico: Source Document. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13614-MS, Los Alamos, NM.
• Fresquez, P.R., W.R. Velasquez, and L. Naranjo, Jr. 2000. Effects of the Cerro Grande fire (smoke and fallout ash) on soil chemical properties within and around Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13769-MS. Los Alamos, NM.
• Nyhan, J.W., P.R. Fresquez, W.R. Velasquez, and E.A. Lopez. 2000. Radionuclide concentrations in soils and vegetation at low-level radioactive-waste disposal Area G during the 1999 growing season. Los Alamos National Laboratory report LA-13771-PR. Los Alamos, NM.

Videos

Soil, Foodstuffs and Biota Videos

• Environmental Monitoring of Fish