Variation in runoff and erosion rates from different trench cap cover systems
A field-scale demonstration study was established at Los Alamos National Laboratory to evaluate the interactive effects of soil surface mulches and type of vegetative cover on site water balance and erosion under natural precipitation conditions. The study was established on an inactive, low-level radioactive waste site, and consists of clusters of plots on 3 different soil profiles. Each cluster consists of two pairs of plots. Each pair of plots has either shrub or grass vegetative cover, and one plot of each pair received a gravel surface mulch at the time of insulation. Soil moisture was measured biweekly, and plant and soil surface cover were measured seasonally. Total runoff and sediment transport from each plot was measured after each precipitation event or each snowmelt event. Data from 1987 and 1988 show increased stabilization of the soil surface with time. Runoff and sediment transport is five to ten times greater on unmulched plots in comparison to plots with a gravel mulch. Higher precipitation than usual in 1988 resulted in erosion rates that exceeded tolerance limits on several unmulched plots. Runoff from snowmelt was greater on mulched plots, and generally had low sediment concentrations. Continued monitoring of the site through 1989 will result in a unique data base of the effects of natural precipitation and different cover designs on site performance. 10 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6383130
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-89-720; CONF-890207-22; ON: DE89009410
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management '89, Tucson, AZ, USA, 26 Feb 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
GROUND COVER
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
GROUND DISPOSAL
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ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
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EVALUATION
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LASL
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PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
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RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
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