Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Nuclear Weapons Tests and Environmental Consequences: A Global Perspective

  • Review
  • Published:
AMBIO Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The beginning of the atomic age marked the outset of nuclear weapons testing, which is responsible for the radioactive contamination of a large number of sites worldwide. The paper aims to analyze nuclear weapons tests conducted in the second half of the twentieth century, highlighting the impact of radioactive pollution on the atmospheric, aquatic, and underground environments. Special attention was given to the concentration of main radioactive isotopes which were released, such as 14C, 137Cs, and 90Sr, generally stored in the atmosphere and marine environment. In addition, an attempt was made to trace the spatial delimitation of the most heavily contaminated sites worldwide, and to note the human exposure which has caused a significantly increased incidence of thyroidal cancer locally and regionally. The United States is one of the important examples of assessing the correlation between the increase in the thyroid cancer incidence rate and the continental-scale radioactive contamination with 131I, a radioactive isotope which was released in large amounts during the nuclear tests carried out in the main test site, Nevada.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarkrog, A. 2003. Input of anthropogenic radionuclides into the World Ocean. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 50(17–21): 2597–2606.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brindel, P., F. Doyon, C. Bourgain, F. Rachedi, J.L. Boissin, J. Sebbag, L. Shan, F. Bost-Bezeaud, P. Petitdidier, J. Paoaafaite, J. Teuri, and F. de Vathaire. 2010. Family history of thyroid cancer and the risk of differentiated thyroid cancer in French Polynesia. Thyroid 20: 393–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, A.Y., A. Jemal, and E.M. Ward. 2009. Increasing incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer in the United States, 1988–2005. Cancer 115(16): 3801–3807.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CTBT. 1996. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (treaty text). http://www.ctbto.org/fileadmin/content/treaty/treaty_text.pdf. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

  • Currie, K.I., G. Brailsforld, S. Nichol, A. Gomez, R. Sparks, K.R. Lassey, and K. Riedel. 2011. Tropospheric 14CO2 at Wellington, New Zealand: The world’s longest record. Biogeochemistry 104: 5–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Czeplak, G., and C. Junge. 1974. Studies of interhemispheric exchange in the troposphere by a diffusion model. Advances in Geophysics 18: 57–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Vathaire, F., V. Drozdovitch, P. Brindel, F. Rachedi, J.-L. Boissin, J. Sebbag, L. Shan, F. Bost-Bezeaud, et al. 2010. Thyroid cancer following nuclear tests in French Polynesia. British Journal of Cancer 103: 1115–1121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erichsen, A.C., L. Konovalenko, F. Møhlenberg, R.M. Closter, C. Bradshaw, K. Aquilonius, and U. Kautsky. 2013. Radionuclide transport and uptake in coastal aquatic ecosystems: A comparison of a 3D dynamic model and a compartment model. AMBIO 42: 464–475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fedchenko, V., and R.F. Hellgren. 2007. Nuclear arms control and non-proliferation (Appendix 12B. Nuclear explosions, 1945–2006). http://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2007/files/SIPRIYB0712B.pdf. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

  • Gilbert, E.S., R. Tarone, A. Bouville, and E. Ron. 1998. Thyroid cancer rates and 131I doses from Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 90(21): 1654–1660.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, E.S., L. Huang, A. Bouville, C.D. Berg, and E. Ron. 2010. Thyroid cancer rates and 131I doses from Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests: An update. Radiation Research 173: 659–664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goodby, J. 2005. The Limited Test Ban Negotiations, 1954–63: How a negotiator viewed the proceedings. International Negotiation 10: 381–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodsite, M.E., W. Rom, J. Heinemeier, T. Lange, S. Ooi, P.G. Appleby, W. Shotyk, W.O. van der Knapp, C. Lohse, and T.S. Hansen. 2001. High-resolution AMS 14C dating of post-bomb peat archives of atmospheric pollutants. Radiocarbon 43(2B): 495–515.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grandin, K., P. Jagers, and S. Kullander. 2011. Nuclear energy. AMBIO 39: 26–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grotto, A. 2010. Why do states that oppose nuclear proliferation resist new nonproliferation obligations?: Three logics of nonproliferation decision-making. Journal of International & Comparative Law 18(1): 1–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, T.F., J.C. Milliès-Lacroix, and G.H. Hong. 1996. 137Cs (90Sr) and Pu isotopes in the Pacific Ocean: Sources and trends. In Radionuclides in the oceans: inputs and inventory, ed. P. Guéguéniat, P. Germain, and H. Métivier, 29–58. Paris: Les Editions de Physique. http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/621645. Retrieved October 15, 2013.

  • Högberg, L. 2013. Root causes and impacts of severe accidents at large nuclear power plants. AMBIO 42: 267–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hundahl, S.A. 1998. Perspective: National Cancer Institute summary report about estimated exposures and thyroid doses received from iodine 131 in fallout after Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 48(5): 285–298.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IAEA. 1995. Sources of radioactivity in the marine environment and their relative contributions to overall dose assessment from marine radioactivity (MARDOS). IAEA-TECDOC-838, Vienna. http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/te_838_web.pdf. Retrieved September 21, 2013.

  • IAEA. 1998a. Radiological conditions at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, Kazakhstan: Preliminary assessment and recommendations for further study (STI/PUB/1063). http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1063_web.pdf. Retrieved October 20, 2013.

  • IAEA. 1998b. Radiological conditions at Bikini atoll: Prospects for resettlement (STI/PUB/1054). http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1054_web.pdf. Retrieved October 22, 2013.

  • IAEA. 1998c. The radiological situation at the atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa: Main report (STI/PUB/1028). http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1028_web.pdf. Retrieved October 24, 2013.

  • IAEA. 2000. Global marine radioactivity database (GLOMARD). IAEA-TECDOC-1146, Vienna. http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/te_1146_prn.pdf. Retrieved September 29, 2013.

  • IAEA. 2010. Radiological conditions at the former French nuclear test sites in Algeria: Preliminary assessment and recommendations (STI/PUB/1215). http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1215_web_new.pdf. Retrieved October 24, 2013.

  • IAEA. 2012. Fukushima Daiichi status report. http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/fukushima/statusreport280612.pdf. Retrieved September 25, 2013.

  • Ion, A. 2013. Relationship from geology and radon in outdoor air in Massif Ditrău area, Eastern Carpathians—Romania. Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 8(2): 163–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kadyrzhanov, K.K., S. Khazhekber, V.P. Solodukhin, S.N. Lukashenko, I.V. Kazachevskiy, Ch. Rofer, V.L. Poznyak, B.B. Knyazev, et al. 2005. Plutonium at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (SNTS). Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 263(1): 229–234.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J.I. 2008. Lessons learned from nonproliferation successes and failures. Comparative Strategy 27(5): 426–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koulikov, A.O., and M. Meili. 2003. Modelling the dynamics of fish contamination by Chernobyl radiocaesium: An analytical solution based on potassium mass balance. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 66: 309–326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krakauer, N.Y., J.T. Randerson, F.W. Primeau, N. Grauber, and D. Menemenlis. 2006. Carbon isotope evidence for the latitudinal distribution and wind speed dependence of the air–sea gas transfer velocity. Tellus 58B: 390–417.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kryshev, A.I., and I.N. Ryabov. 2000. A dynamic model of 137Cs accumulation by fish of different age classes. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 50: 221–233.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, I., B. Kromer, H. Schoch-Fischer, M. Bruns, M. Münnich, D. Berdau, J.C. Vogel, and K.O. Münnich. 1994. δ14CO2 record from Vermunt. In Trends: A compendium of data on global change. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge.

  • Levin, I., T. Naegler, B. Kromer, M. Diehl, R.J. Francey, A.J. Gomez-Pelaez, L.P. Steele, D. Wagenbach, R. Weller, and D.E. Worthy. 2010. Observations and modelling of the global distribution and long-term trend of atmospheric 14CO2. Tellus 62B: 26–46.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, H.D., and P.P. Provinec. 2000. Anthropogenic marine radioactivity. Ocean and Coastal Management 43: 689–712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyon, J.L., S.C. Alder, M.B. Stone, A. Scholl, J.C. Reading, R. Holubkov, X. Sheng, G.L. White, et al. 2006. Thyroid disease associated with exposure to the Nevada nuclear weapons test site radiation. A reevaluation based on corrected dosimetry and examination data. Epidemiology 17(6): 604–614.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magnarella, P.J. 2008. Attempts to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons through the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones. Peace & Change 33(4): 507–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manning, M.R., and W.H. Melhuish. 1994. Atmospheric δ14C record from Wellington. In Trends: A compendium of data on global change. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge.

  • Mastny, V. 2008. The 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Journal of Cold War Studies 10(1): 3–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonnell, T. 2013. Nuclear pursuits: Non-P-5 nuclear-armed states, 2013. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 69(1): 62–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merali, Z. 2009. Did China’s nuclear tests kill thousands and doom future generations? Scientific American Magazine. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=did-chinas-nuclear-tests. Retrieved February 12, 2013.

  • NCI. 1997a. Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests (Chapter 2—History of the Nevada Test Site and nuclear testing background), a report from the National Cancer Institute. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cancer.gov/i131/fallout/Chapter2.pdf. Retrieved October 3, 2013.

  • NCI. 1997b. Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests (Chapter 3—Deposition of 131 I on the ground), a report from the National Cancer Institute. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cancer.gov/i131/fallout/Chapter3.pdf. Retrieved October 5, 2013.

  • NCI. 1997c. Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests (Chapter 4—Transfer of 131 I from deposition on the ground to fresh cows’ milk), a report from the National Cancer Institute. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cancer.gov/i131/fallout/Chapter4.pdf. Retrieved October 8, 2013.

  • NCI. 1997d. Estimated exposures and thyroid doses received by the American people from iodine-131 in fallout following Nevada atmospheric nuclear bomb tests (Chapter 5—Cows’ milk production, utilization, distribution and consumption), a report from the National Cancer Institute. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cancer.gov/i131/fallout/Chapter5.pdf. Retrieved October 10, 2013.

  • Pellegriti, G., F. Frasca, C. Regalbuto, S. Squatrito, and R. Vigneri. 2013. Worldwide increasing incidence of thyroid cancer: Update on epidemiology and risk factors. Journal of Cancer Epidemiology. Article ID 965212. doi:10.1155/2013/965212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/965212. Retrieved October 7, 2013.

  • Prăvălie, R. 2012. The abolition of the nuclear weapons. A geopolitical and geostrategic problem in the last five decades. Revista Română de Geografie Politică (Romanian Journal of Political Geography) 2: 143–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramasamy, V., S. Senthil, G. Suresh, and V. Ponnusamy. 2012. Evaluation of gamma radioactivity levels and its radiological hazards of beach and intertidal sediments. Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 7(4): 137–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubinson, P. 2011. ‘Crucified on a cross of atoms’: Scientists, politics, and the Test Ban Treaty. Diplomatic History 35(2): 283–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauer, T. 2006. The nuclear nonproliferation regime in crisis. Peace Review: A Journal of Social Justice 18(3): 333–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schenck, L.M., and R.A. Youmans. 2012. From start to finish: A historical review of nuclear arms control treaties and starting over with the new start. Journal of International & Comparative Law 20(2): 399–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scourse, J.D., A.D. Wanamaker, C. Weidman, J. Heinemeier, P.J. Reimer, P.G. Butler, R. Witbaard, and C.A. Richardson. 2012. The marine radiocarbon bomb pulse across the Temperate North Atlantic: A compilation of Δ14C time histories from Arctica islandica growth increments. Radiocarbon 5(2): 165–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, S.L., A. Bouville, and C.E. Land. 2006. Fallout from nuclear weapons tests and cancer risks. http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Files/cancertopics/causes/i131/fallout.pdf. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

  • Smith, D.K., and R.W. Williams. 2005. The dynamic movement of plutonium in an underground nuclear test with implications for the contamination of groundwater. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 263(2): 281–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stuiver, M., and H.A. Polach. 1977. Discussion: Reporting of 14C data. Radiocarbon 19(3): 355–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, T., M.J. Schoemaker, K.R. Trott, S.L. Simon, K.F.N. Nakashima, A. Fukao, and H. Saito. 2003. The relationship of thyroid cancer with radiation exposure from nuclear weapon testing in the Marshall Islands. Journal of Epidemiology 13: 99–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tompson, A.F.B., C.J. Bruton, G.A. Pawloski, D.K. Smith, W.L. Bourcier, D.E. Shaumaker, A.B. Kersting, S.F. Carle, and R.M. Maxwell. 2002. On the evaluation of groundwater contamination from underground nuclear tests. Environmental Geology 42: 235–247.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNSCEAR. 1982. Report to the general assembly (ANNEX E—Exposures resulting from nuclear explosions). http://www.unscear.org/unscear/en/publications/1982.html. Retrieved January 5, 2013.

  • UNSCEAR. 1988. Report to the general assembly (Annex D—Exposures from Chernobyl accident). http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/1988/1988i_unscear.pdf. Retrieved September 25, 2013.

  • UNSCEAR. 1993. Report to the general assembly (Annex B—Exposures from man-made sources of radiation). http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/1993/1993c_pages%2091-120.pdf. Retrieved September 25, 2013.

  • UNSCEAR. 2000a. Report to the general assembly (Annex C—Exposures to the public from man-made sources of radiation). http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/annexc.pdf. Retrieved September 27, 2013.

  • UNSCEAR. 2000b. Report to the general assembly (Annex A—Dose assessment methodologies). http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/annexa.pdf. Retrieved September 27, 2013.

  • UNSCEAR. 2006. Report to the general assembly (Annex A—Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer). http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2006/07-82087_Report_Annex_A_2006_Web_corr.pdf. Retrieved October 2, 2013.

  • van der Meer, S. 2011. Not that bad: Looking back on 65 years of nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Security & Human Rights 22(1): 37–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weitz, R. 2011. Nuclear safety, nuclear security. World Affairs 174(4): 56–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (World Health Organization). 2010. Concise international chemical assessment document 77 (strontium and strontium compounds). http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44280/1/9789241530774_eng.pdf. Retrieved October 20, 2013.

  • Yamamoto, M., M. Hoshi, J. Takada, A. Sakaguchi, K.N. Apsalikov, and B.I. Gusev. 2004. Current levels and distribution of 137Cs and Pu isotopes in soil on the Kazakhstan territory of the Kazakhstan–Chinese border: Semipalatinsk and Lob Nor nuclear test sites detonation. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 261(3): 533–545.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, M., J. Tomita, A. Sakaguchi, Y. Ohtsuka, M. Hoshi, and K.N. Apsalikov. 2010. Uranium isotopes in well water samples as drinking sources in some settlements around the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Kazakhstan. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 284: 309–314.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y.G., and G. Shaw. 2000. Soil contamination with radionuclides and potential remediation. Chemosphere 41(1–2): 121–128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Web References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Geography, Bucharest University, 1, Nicolae Bălcescu str., Bucharest, Romania

    Remus Prăvălie

Authors
  1. Remus Prăvălie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Remus Prăvălie.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prăvălie, R. Nuclear Weapons Tests and Environmental Consequences: A Global Perspective. AMBIO 43, 729–744 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-014-0491-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-014-0491-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation