Technical Area 16 (TA-16)

Brief Description and History

TA-16 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is located in the southwest corner of the Laboratory. It contains 2410 acres or 3.8 square mi. The land is a portion of that acquired by the Department of Army for the Manhattan Project in 1943. TA-16 is bordered by Bandelier National Monument along State Road 4 to the south and the Santa Fe National Forest along State Road 501 to the west. To the north and east, it is bordered by other TAs. Water Canyon, a 200-ft-deep ravine with steep walls, separates State Road 4 from active sites at TA-16. Canon de Valle forms the northern border of TA-16. Security fences surround the production facilities.

TA-16 was established to develop explosive formulations, cast and machine explosive charges, and assemble and test explosive components for the US nuclear weapons program. Almost all the work was conducted in support of the development, testing, and production of explosive charges for the implosion method. TA-16-260 is located on the north side of TA-16. This structure, originally built in 1951, is an HE machining facility that processes large quantities of explosives.

The sumps, drain lines, and troughs have been designated PRS 16-003(k); the outfall as PRS 16-021(c). The two PRSs were consolidated into a single PRS, 16-021(c)-99, in 1999. Chemicals of potential concern (COPCs) at this site include various types of HE, HE impurities and degradation products, uranium, metals (especially barium), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and cyanide.

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Related Photos

Photo Caption	JPG Format (Click on any thumbnail below to view a full-sized image)
PRS 16-021(c) outfall--Moving rock and using hay bales and jute mat to prevent further migration of contaminants in drainage
PRS 16-021(c) outfall, in 1995, before installation of BMPs
Building 260