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

Geological site characterization for the proposed Mixed Waste Disposal Facility, Los Alamos National Laboratory

This report presents the results of geological site characterization studies conducted from 1992 to 1994 on Pajarito Mesa for a proposed Los Alamos National Laboratory Mixed Waste Disposal Facility (MWDF). The MWDF is being designed to receive mixed waste (waste containing both hazardous and radioactive components) generated during Environmental Restoration Project cleanup activities at Los Alamos. As of 1995, there is no Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permitted disposal site for mixed waste at the Laboratory, and construction of the MWDF would provide an alternative to transport of this material to an off-site location. A 2.5 km long part of Pajarito Mesa was originally considered for the MWDF, extending from an elevation of about 2150 to 2225 m (7060 to 7300 ft) in Technical Areas (TAs) 15, 36, and 67 in the central part of the Laboratory, and planning was later concentrated on the western area in TA-67. The mesa top lies about 60 to 75 m (200 to 250 ft) above the floor of Pajarito Canyon on the north, and about 30 m (100 ft) above the floor of Threemile Canyon on the south. The main aquifer used as a water supply for the Laboratory and for Los Alamos County lies at an estimated depth of about 335 m (1100 ft) below the mesa. The chapters of this report focus on surface and near-surface geological studies that provide a basic framework for siting of the MWDF and for conducting future performance assessments, including fulfillment of specific regulatory requirements. This work includes detailed studies of the stratigraphy, mineralogy, and chemistry of the bedrock at Pajarito Mesa by Broxton and others, studies of the geological structure and of mesa-top soils and surficial deposits by Reneau and others, geologic mapping and studies of fracture characteristics by Vaniman and Chipera, and studies of potential landsliding and rockfall along the mesa-edge by Reneau

Elemental relationships in rock varnish as seen with SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray) elemental line profiling

The heterogeneous nature of rock varnish requires a thorough survey of elemental and mineralogic compositions before relating chemical variability of rock varnish to past geochemical environments. Elemental relationships in rock varnish can be examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with an elemental line profiling routine using semi-quantitative, energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analysis. Results of SEM/EDX analysis suggest: variations in cation concentrations used in varnish cation ratio dating relate more specifically to variations in detritus within the varnish than to element mobility as defined by weathering indices; Mn concentration rather than Mn:Fe ratios may be a more appropriate indicator of paleoclimatic fluctuations; and the Mn-oxide phase existing in varnish is most likely a Ba-enriched phase rather than birnessite. Element line profiling offers great potential for gaining insights into geochemical processes affecting the deposition and diagenesis of rock varnish and for testing hypotheses relating to its chemical variability. 27 refs., 9 figs

Barium concentration in rock varnish: Implications for calibrated rock varnish dating curves

Cation-ratio dating rock varnish is a recently developed technique for obtaining surface exposure ages of a wide variety of geomorphic surfaces. As originally proposed, the technique utilizes a ratio among minor cations [(K + Ca)/Ti] in rock varnish. Although this varnish cation ratio is related to the Ti concentration, it can also be affected by the presence of Ba that may be partially included in the analyzed concentration of Ti. During energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Ba L-alpha and L-beta peaks overlap with Ti K-alpha and K-beta peaks. We have compared the effect of Ba concentration on calculated varnish cation ratios using quantitative EDS with the scanning electron microscope (SEM), quantitative wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) with a Cameca electron probe microanalyzer (EPM) and qualitative EDS with the SEM that does not decompose Ti and Ba lines. In this paper we document that, in fact, such separation of Ba from Ti is possible using both a quantitative (MICRO Q) and a semi-quantitative (SQ) Tracor Northern EDS analytical programs that decompose Ti and Ba lines. We also document that SEM EDS analyses may yield markedly similar results to wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS) analyses of the same varnish using an EPM. 6 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs

Dynamics of rock varnish formation

Our studies of rock varnish from the southwestern United States suggest that the Mn-phase in rock varnish has neither the chemistry nor the crystal structure of birnessite. Rather, the Mn-rich phase is non-crystalline and contains Ba, Ca, Fe, Al, and P. Unknowns concerning the formation of this non-crystalline Mn phase must be resolved before researchers are able to define chemical parameters of rock varnish formation based upon conditions of formation of the Mn phase. 6 refs., 9 figs

Contagem de células somáticas e produção de leite em vacas holandesas confinadas Somatic cells count and milk yield in confined holstein cows

A relação entre contagem de células somáticas do leite (CCS) e produção de leite é objeto de estudo de inúmeras pesquisas em diversos países, porém, no Brasil a literatura a esse respeito é escassa. Desse modo, o objetivo do presente trabalho é verificar se as perdas na produção de leite devidas ao aumento da CCS são proporcionais à produção, ou absolutas, independendo desta, e a partir de que valor de CCS elas começam a ser evidentes. Para o estudo foram utilizadas 13.725 observações, colhidas mensalmente de seis rebanhos, no período de janeiro de 2001 a junho de 2002. O modelo de análise, para curva de lactação, foi baseado na função gama incompleta, considerando os efeitos de ordem de lactação, rebanho e época do parto. A CCS foi incluída nesse modelo de duas formas: como fator multiplicativo (representando perdas relativas) e como fator aditivo (representando perdas absolutas). A escolha do melhor modelo foi baseada no critério de informação de Schwarz (BIC). Concluiu-se que as perdas são absolutas, evidentes a partir de 17.000 células/mL e, para cada aumento de uma unidade na escala do logaritmo natural a partir desse valor, estimam-se perdas de 238 e 868 mL/dia para primíparas e multíparas, respectivamente.<br>The relationship between milk somatic cells count (SCC) and milk yield has been the aim of countless researches in several countries; however, in Brazil, the literature related to this subject is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study is to verify if the losses in milk yield due to SCC increase are proportional to the yield, or absolute (independent of it) and starting from which SCC, the losses become evident. For this study, 13.725 observations were used, collected monthly from 6 different herds, from January/2001 up to June/2002. The analysis model, for lactation curve, was based upon the incomplete gama function, considering the effects of lactation order, herd and calving season. The SCC entered in that model in two ways: as multiplicative factor (representing relative losses) and as addictive factor (representing absolute losses). The best model was chosen based on the information criteria of Schwarz (BIC). It is concluded that the losses are absolute, becoming evident from 17.000 cells/mL, and they are 238 and 868 mL/day for each increase of one unit in the natural logarithm scale, starting from that SCC, respectively, for primiparous and multiparous