Discrimination of nuclear explosions against civilian sources based on atmospheric xenon isotopic activity ratios

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Pure and Applied Geophysics, 167(4-5):517-539

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-009-0032-1· OSTI ID:978504

Kalinowski, Martin B; Axelssson, A; Bean, Marc; Blanchard, X; Bowyer, Ted W; Brachet, G; McIntyre, Justin I; Peters, Jana; Pistner, Christoph; Raith, Maria; Ringbom, Anders; Saey, P R; Schlosser, C; Stocki, Trevor J; Taffary, T; Ungar, R Kurt

A global monitoring system for atmospheric xenon radioactivity is being established as part of the International Monitoring System that will be used to verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) once the treaty has entered into force. This paper studies isotopic activity ratios to support interpretation of observed atmospheric concentrations of 135Xe, 133mXe, 133Xe and 131mXe. The goal is to distinguish nuclear explosion sources from civilian releases. Simulations of nuclear explosions, empirical data for both test and reactor releases as well as observations by measurement stations of the International Noble Gas Experiment (INGE) are used to provide a proof of concept for the isotopic ratio based method for source discrimination.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 978504
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-65266; NN2003000
• Journal Information: Pure and Applied Geophysics, 167(4-5):517-539, Journal Name: Pure and Applied Geophysics, 167(4-5):517-539 Journal Issue: 4-5 Vol. 167; ISSN PAGYAV; ISSN 0033-4553
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COMPLIANCE
CTBT
CTBT - environmental monitoring - international monitoring system - isotope activity ratios - noble gas - radioactivity monitoring - radioxenon - source discrimination - test ban - xenon
MONITORING
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
RADIOACTIVITY
XENON