This chapter discusses radionuclide concentrations measured in sediment samples collected on or in the vicinity of the Savannah River Site (SRS). We reviewed the history of sediment monitoring at the SRS and evaluated these data with regard to their potential usefulness for dose reconstruction. We compiled and examined sediment data to determine their potential value in source term verification, model validation, and direct exposure assessment. Uranium data collected from Steed’s Pond, which received liquid effluents from the M-Area via Tim’s Branch, may be useful for source term verification and model validation of uranium releases from the M-Area. However, the potential usefulness of the Steed’s Pond data, which are limited in number, is bounded by spatial resolution. Results of measurements of long-lived radionuclides (uranium, plutonium, and 137Cs) in streambeds do not appear useful because samples do not represent the entire streambed and demonstrate no spatial trends because of the complex sediment deposition processes involved. Appendix K further discusses potential uses for environmental monitoring data.
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