The ASER characterizes the Lab’s environmental performance with data from programs monitoring soil, water, air, animals and plants. The report also summarizes Laboratory environmental compliance programs, the estimated radiation dose to the public from Laboratory operations, how the Laboratory protects biological and cultural resources in its operating vicinity, and how it manages the radiological and hazardous waste generated during mission-related activities. More than nine months in the making, the 2023 report references 2022 data.
“Our environmental compliance programs help us adhere to regulations to ensure we are positively engaging with the natural world around us, and our monitoring programs collect crucial data that offer added certainty with regard to the Laboratory’s environmental impact,” said J’nette Hyatt, senior director for the Lab’s Environment and Waste Programs. “These programs, as well as others related to environmental stewardship and waste management, help ensure a sustainable future for the land, air and water we’re entrusted to manage.”
At the Laboratory, designated employees work on environmental stewardship projects that include protecting the habitat of the Mexican spotted owl and tracking pinyon jays; sampling local honey, eggs and crops to ensure they’re not impacted by Lab operations; practicing responsible wildfire mitigation; and preserving archaeological sites.
The ASER is a congressionally mandated deliverable, required by the Department of Energy to ensure dissemination of data pertaining to environment, safety and health issues and to ensure protection of the public and environment against undue risk from radiation associated with DOE activities.
Read the full ASER Report.
Read the ASER Summary magazine.
8 key takeaways
- Radiation Protection – The Lab has more than 40 ambient air monitoring stations and 27 monitored exhaust stacks, making it the most rigorous air quality sampling program in the country. Over the past 10 years, the Lab has consistently measured its radioactive emissions at less than 10% of the regulatory limit.
- Emissions Dose to Public – The estimated maximum dose of airborne radionuclides to a member of the public in 2022 was 0.45 millirem, less than 5% of the 10 millirem dose limit allowed by the Clean Air Act.
- Threatened & Endangered Species Protection – Lab biologists found all projects in compliance with endangered species protection requirements.
- Cultural Resource Management – Lab archaeologists conducted surveys and verified site boundaries to ensure cultural resource compliance of 27 projects.
- Monitoring Stormwater Runoff from Lab – In 2022, environmental professionals performed 908 construction site inspections, evaluating storm water controls and site activities, to assess permit compliance. 864 of the inspections (95%) identified the sites to be in compliance. All non-compliant conditions and required corrective actions were addressed following the inspections.
- Wildlife Studies – In winter 2022, Lab biologists began a site-wide pilot study of pinyon jays to better understand their habitat, as well as the potential threat the Lab may pose to it, as the species nears potential listing as a federally threatened or endangered species. Biologists also supported surrounding agencies in studying the effects wildfire mitigation efforts may have on mountain lion habitat.
- PFAS Sampling in Mammals: With one of the most extensive PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) sampling programs across the DOE complex, the Lab continues to study how widespread these industrial chemicals of recent nationwide concern are in the environment and food chain.
Questions or hard copy request
Questions or suggestions on making this document more useful? Want to request a printed copy of the Annual Site Environmental Report Summary? Email ASER@lanl.gov.
How can birdsong recordings help scientists?
Biologists from Los Alamos National Laboratory have been collecting birdsong audio files from the pale blue, long-billed bird that relies heavily on piñon-juniper woodlands, a prevalent habitat on Lab property. Monitoring the pinyon jay, a native New Mexican species in decline, helps scientists better understand the birds’ on-site presence and avoid impacts to the Lab’s mission deliveries. It's also part of the Lab's responsibility to steward its natural resources. Read more here.
ASER inaelezea utendaji wa mazingira wa Maabara na data kutoka kwa programu za ufuatiliaji wa udongo, maji, hewa, wanyama na mimea. Ripoti hiyo pia inatoa muhtasari wa programu za kufuata mazingira ya maabara, kipimo cha mionzi kwa umma kutoka kwa shughuli za maabara, jinsi maabara inalinda rasilimali za kibiolojia na za kitamaduni katika eneo lake la uendeshaji, na jinsi inasimamia taka za mionzi na hatari zinazozalishwa wakati wa shughuli zinazohusiana na kazi. Baada ya miezi tisa ya kutengenezwa, ripoti ya 2023 inarejelea data ya 2022. "Programu zetu za kufuata mazingira zinatusaidia kufuata kanuni ili kuhakikisha tunajihusisha vizuri na ulimwengu wa asili unaotuzunguka, na programu zetu za ufuatiliaji hukusanya data muhimu ambazo hutoa uhakika zaidi kuhusiana na athari za mazingira za Maabara, ""alisema Janet Hyatt, mkurugenzi mwandamizi wa Programu za Mazingira na Taka za Maabara." "Programu hizi, pamoja na nyingine zinazohusiana na usimamizi wa mazingira na usimamizi wa taka, husaidia kuhakikisha siku zijazo endelevu kwa ardhi, hewa na maji ambayo tumepewa kusimamia. ""Katika Maabara, wafanyikazi walioteuliwa hufanya kazi kwenye miradi ya usimamizi wa mazingira ambayo ni pamoja na kulinda makazi ya Mexican spotted owl na kufuatilia pinyon jays; sampuli ya asali ya ndani, mayai na mazao ili kuhakikisha hawaathiriwi na shughuli za Lab; mazoezi ya kupunguza moto wa mwituni." ASER ni utoaji wa Congress ulioamriwa na Idara ya Nishati ili kuhakikisha usambazaji wa data zinazohusiana na masuala ya mazingira, usalama na afya na kuhakikisha ulinzi wa umma na mazingira dhidi ya hatari isiyofaa kutoka kwa mnururisho unaohusiana na shughuli za DOE. Soma ripoti kamili ya ASER. Soma makala ya ASR Summary. "Kutoka kwa utafiti wa ""Ulinzi wa Mionzi,"" maabara ina vituo zaidi ya 40 vya ufuatiliaji wa hewa ya mazingira na vituo 27 vya ufuatiliaji wa hewa, na hivyo inafanya kuwa mpango mkali zaidi wa sampuli ya ubora wa hewa nchini." Katika miaka ya hivi karibuni, maabara hiyo imepima uzalishaji wake wa mnururisho kwa chini ya asilimia 10 ya kiwango cha kisheria. Kiwango cha juu cha kiasi cha radionuclides iliyopitishwa na hewa kwa mwanachama wa umma mnamo 2022 ilikuwa 0.45 millirems, chini ya 5% ya kiwango cha dozi ya millirems 10 iliyoruhusiwa na Sheria ya Hewa safi. - Kutishiwa & Endangered Species Ulinzi <unk> Biolojia ya maabara kupatikana miradi yote katika kufuata mahitaji ya ulinzi wa spishi hatarini. - Usimamizi wa Rasilimali za Utamaduni <unk> Wataalamu wa akiolojia wa maabara walifanya uchunguzi na kuthibitisha mipaka ya tovuti ili kuhakikisha kufuata rasilimali za kitamaduni za miradi 27. - Ufuatiliaji wa Maji ya Mvua kutoka kwa Maabara: Katika 2022, wataalamu wa mazingira walifanya ukaguzi wa tovuti ya ujenzi 908, wakichunguza udhibiti wa maji ya mvua na shughuli za tovuti, ili kutathmini kufuata kibali. Katika uchunguzi huo, asilimia 95 (864) ya maeneo hayo yaligunduliwa kuwa yamekamilika. Hali zote zisizopatana na mahitaji ya hatua za kurekebisha zilitibiwa baada ya ukaguzi. Katika majira ya baridi kali ya 2022, wataalamu wa biolojia wa maabara walianza utafiti wa majaribio wa jays ya pinyon ili kuelewa vizuri makazi yao, na pia tishio linaloweza kuwa na maabara hiyo, kwani spishi hiyo inakaribia kuorodheshwa kama spishi inayotishwa au inayokabili hatari ya kutoweka. Wanabiolojia pia waliunga mkono mashirika ya karibu katika kujifunza athari ambazo jitihada za kupunguza moto wa mwituni zinaweza kuwa nazo kwenye makazi ya simba wa mlima. Kwa mfano, katika majaribio ya sampuli ya PFAS (perfluoroalkyl) katika nyenzo za nywele, majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio ya majaribio. Maelezo ya ziada au maswali ya kuelezea kuhusu jinsi ya kufanya hati hii iwe na manufaa zaidi. Unataka kuomba nakala iliyochapishwa ya muhtasari wa Ripoti ya Kila Mwaka ya Mazingira ya Tovuti? Piga simu kwa ASR@lan.gov Rekodi za nyimbo za ndege zinaweza kuwasaidiaje wanasayansi? Wataalamu wa biolojia kutoka Los Alamos National Laboratory wamekuwa wakikusanya faili za sauti za wimbo wa ndege kutoka kwa ndege wa bluu nyepesi, wa mdomo mrefu, ambaye hutegemea sana misitu ya piñon-juniper, makazi ya kawaida kwenye mali ya Lab. Ufuatiliaji wa pinyon jay, spishi ya asili ya New Mexico inayopungua, husaidia wanasayansi kuelewa vizuri uwepo wa ndege kwenye tovuti na kuepuka athari kwa utoaji wa ujumbe wa Maabara. Pia ni sehemu ya wajibu wa Maabara kusimamia rasilimali zake za asili. Soma zaidi hapa.