Measurements of radioxenon in ground level air in South Korea following the claimed nuclear test in North Korea on October 9, 2006

Journal Article · Thu Dec 03 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 282(3):773-779

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0271-8· OSTI ID:972548

Ringbom, Anders; Elmgren, K; Lindh, Karin; Peterson, Jenny; Bowyer, Ted W; Hayes, James C; McIntyre, Justin I; Panisko, Mark E; Williams, Richard M

Abstract Following the claimed nuclear test in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on October 9, 2006, and a reported seismic event, a mobile system for sampling of atmospheric xenon was transported to the Republic of South Korea (ROK) in an attempt to detect possible emissions of radioxenon in the region from a presumed test. Five samples were collected in the ROK during October 11–14, 2006 near the ROK–DPRK border, and thereafter transported to the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI) in Stockholm, Sweden, for analysis. Following the initial measurements, an automatic radioxenon sampling and analysis system was installed at the same location in the ROK, and measurements on the ambient atmospheric radioxenon background in the region were performed during November 2006 to February 2007. The measured radioxenon concentrations strongly indicate that the explosion in October 9, 2006 was a nuclear test. The conclusion is further strengthened by atmospheric transport models. Radioactive xenon measurement was the only independent confirmation that the supposed test was in fact a nuclear explosion and not a conventional (chemical) explosive.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 972548
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-69254; NN2003000
• Journal Information: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 282(3):773-779, Journal Name: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 282(3):773-779
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

North Korea
Radioxenon measurements