Tritium as an indicator of venues for nuclear tests

J Environ Radioact. 2013 Oct:124:13-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.03.004. Epub 2013 Apr 29.

Abstract

Currently, due to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons there is a highly topical issue of an accurate verification of nuclear explosion venues. This paper proposes to consider new method for verification by using tritium as an indicator. Detailed studies of the tritium content in the air were carried in the locations of underground nuclear tests - "Balapan" and "Degelen" testing sites located in Semipalatinsk Test Site. The paper presents data on the levels and distribution of tritium in the air where tunnels and boreholes are located - explosion epicentres, wellheads and tunnel portals, as well as in estuarine areas of the venues for the underground nuclear explosions (UNE).

Keywords: Air; Nuclear explosion; Tritium; Tritium contamination; Verification.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Kazakhstan
  • Nuclear Weapons*
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Tritium / analysis*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Tritium