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Comparison of radionuclide ratios in atmospheric nuclear explosions and nuclear releases from Chernobyl and Fukushima seen in gamma ray spectrometry

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Abstract

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty has remote radionuclide monitoring followed by an On Site Inspection (OSI) to clarify the nature of a suspect event as part of its verification regime. An important aspect of radionuclide measurements on site is the discrimination of other potential sources of similar radionuclides such as reactor accidents or medical isotope production. The Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear reactor disasters offer two different reactor source term environmental inputs that can be compared against historical measurements of nuclear explosions. The comparison of whole-sample gamma spectrometry measurements from these three events and the analysis of similarities and differences are presented. This analysis is a step toward confirming what is needed for measurements during an OSI under the auspices of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, J4-65, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA

    J. I. Friese, R. F. Kephart & D. D. Lucas

Authors
  1. J. I. Friese
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  2. R. F. Kephart
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  3. D. D. Lucas
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Correspondence to J. I. Friese.

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Friese, J.I., Kephart, R.F. & Lucas, D.D. Comparison of radionuclide ratios in atmospheric nuclear explosions and nuclear releases from Chernobyl and Fukushima seen in gamma ray spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 296, 899–903 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2213-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2213-0

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