Applications in Environmental Situations
Plate Tectonics have influenced the character of the environment
of sedimentary deposition viz. the Los Angeles Basin. The basin
has been a great sink. The Pleistocene section, alone, may total
nearly 5,000 feet. Sources of potable groundwater are comparatively
deep in the basin, compared to the San Fernando and San Gabriel
valleys. This is reflected in the focus of environmental concerns.
Super Fund sites are the conspicuous elements of contamination
in the two Valleys. But, in the basin, LUFT sites characterized
the outward form of environmental impaction. Here, sources of
drinking water are deeper and protected.
The history of environmental cleanup in the L.A. region may
date from the 1950's. At that time, "tin can" beaches
were still in existence. DDT was still in use. The air was frequently
a billowing fog of iridescent purple. Sewage was pumped raw into
the Pacific. And the Huntington Beach and other oil fields of
the area were conspicuous for their petroliferous sights and smells.
However, at that time, the modern (and also toxic) gasoline additives
and solvents had yet to make their appearance. These have become
a bear to environmentalists and because of their ease of movement
have infested the soils and groundwater of the region.
Site assessments and cleanups have been affected, frequently,
by the non uniform character of the young, Basin sediments. These
are generally non marine and commonly consist of an inconsistent
set of narrow, channel and off-channel deposits. Aquifer settings
are similar in the upper levels.
Below, are a set of illustrations, which portray principal
parameters of the region.
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![PHOTO -- L.A. Basin Impaction Overview (LUFT Sites) [CWQCB]](environ6.jpg){kind=link}
