Radionuclide observables during the Integrated Field Exercise of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burnett, Jonathan L.; Miley, Harry S.; Milbrath, Brian D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 153(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Integrated Field Exercise -- OSI -- CTBT; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: In 2014 the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) undertook an Integrated Field Exercise (IFE14) in Jordan. The exercise consisted of a simulated 0.5–2 kT underground nuclear explosion triggering an On-site Inspection (OSI) to search for evidence of a Treaty violation. This research paper evaluates two of the OSI techniques used during the IFE14, laboratory-based gamma-spectrometry of soil samples and in-situ gamma-spectrometry, both of which were implemented to search for 17 OSI relevant particulate radionuclides indicative of nuclear explosions. The detection sensitivity is evaluated using real IFE and model data. It indicates that higher sensitivity laboratory measurements are the optimum technique during the IFE and within the Treaty/Protocol-specified OSI timeframes. Highlights: The 2014 Integrated Field Exercise occurred in Jordan. The detection sensitivity for two On-site Inspection techniques was evaluated. The techniques search for 17 particulate radionuclides indicative of nuclear explosions. Laboratory-based gamma-spectrometry of soil samples was the optimum technique.