Conveners
Online e-Poster Session 2
- Monika Krysta (CTBTO Preparatory Commission)
- Hossein Hassani
During any on-site inspection programme of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), field geophysics applications used after results from the initial inspection period indicate the need for further investigation. Ground Penetration Radar, resonance seismometry, active seismic survey, electrical resistivity surveys, gravitational and magnetic mapping are the main geophysical methods...
This study aims to identify the variety of NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) radionuclides in the Nuclear Energy Research Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasar Jumat, South Jakarta, Indonesia, along with the concentration levels received by workers and to see the influence of radionuclides from countries outside Indonesia during 2023. Air sampling using the...
Noble gas monitoring systems are used in the International Monitoring System (IMS) for the verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). They monitor the atmosphere for traces of radioxenon released by clandestine nuclear weapon tests. Radioargon is used as a complementary tracer during on-site inspections to look for underground tests. Efficient collection and purification...
Digitization of historic analog seismograms from nuclear explosions is an imperative need for the Nuclear Explosion Monitoring community since most recorded observations of nuclear tests are in analog media and conversion to digital format is resource and time intensive, which requires specific expertise. To assess the effectiveness of available digitization software, we identified four...
The development of equipment for measuring of low levels of argon-37 activity in atmospheric and soil air samples remains a priority task for improving nuclear test monitoring technologies during on-site inspections (OSI), as well as a promising direction for the International Monitoring System (IMS).
In recent years, under a contract with the CTBTO, the Khlopin Radium Institute has been...
The INL Noble Gas Laboratory provides intercomparison samples for the noble gas analysis laboratories as part of the International Monitoring System. Xe-133m is one of the four relevant radionuclides in nuclear explosion monitoring. Without commercially available Xe-133m calibration standards laboratories must create and improve calibration methods. Improvements in calibration methods at the...
This paper presents a detailed analysis of 12 global megatrends — including technological advancements, climate change and sustainability, energy transition, demographic shifts, migration flows, the circular economy, smart cities and urbanization, economic restructuring, cybersecurity threats, health and wellness advancements, changes in consumer behavior, and geopolitical and strategic shifts...
In 2011, the Fukushima nuclear disaster was a big accident and the approximate cause is the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. In the days after the accident, radiation was released into the atmosphere and water, and caesium was detected at IMS particulate stations. Caesium (Cs) is a chemical element in the periodic table with atomic number 55 and 40 known isotopes. This study presents the...
The northeast monsoon (NEM) is an annual natural phenomenon in Malaysia, typically occurring from October to March. During this period, strong winds driven by two significant surges — the easterly surge and the meridional surge — bring heavy rainfall, often leading to severe flooding that can result in property damage and casualties. This study utilizes eight years of data (2011–2018) from...
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), established to prohibit all nuclear test explosions, stands as a pivotal framework in the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime. However, while the treaty has earned considerable support internationally, this three Signatory Non-Annex 2 States have yet to ratify it, raising questions about the underlying reasons for this delay. In...
On-site inspection (OSI) of nuclear test events is different from other arms control verification activities, due to the risks of possible nuclear radiation hazards. Consequently, OSI training and exercises can be practical and meaningful only if they can be conducted under a nuclear radiation environment. However, this would raise great health and safety challenges for inspection team...
Since 2004, a unique underground geophysical laboratory has been equipped at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (BNO) at a distance of about 4 km from the mouth of the tunnel. A complex of scientific equipment was installed in the laboratory, which allows continuous studies of fluid activity, deformation processes, weak seismicity, as well as studying temperature anomalies within the Elbrus...
In 2021, PTS presented the first comprehensive draft list of equipment for use during OSI, which is another milestone for the further development of the OSI verification regime. Multispectral imaging plays a vital role for the identification of potential OSI related anomalies and observables like abnormal heat sources, surface disturbances of vegetation and soil. In this work, further study of...
A series of multi-physics experiments, referred to as Physics Experiment 1 (PE1), is underway at Aqueduct Mesa within the United States’ Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The PE1 series includes detonation of underground chemical explosions that will provide key observations relevant to source discrimination models and algorithms. An important aspect in understanding the signals generated...
Some strong indications were identified to confirm nuclear research reactors (NRRs) as a possible source of radioxenon emission generated by neutron activation from stable xenon. This source type is of high relevance to nuclear explosion monitoring for two reasons. First, the isotopic activity ratios may be confused with nuclear explosion signals. Second, neutron activation generates other...
For the most practical cases, the inspection team should be self-sufficient in the inspection area. From the energy requirement perspective, the inspectors need energy for their daily accommodation support. There are different categories of on-site inspection (OSI) equipment, more than 100 tonnes, which need electricity supply for normal functionality. This work provided a photovoltaic energy...
Sensor data from radionuclide systems within the International Monitoring System (IMS) provides critical information about the operating status of a given station. Typically, station operators monitor sensors for significant deviations from normal operation to signify a potential problem and take some action. Detecting subtle changes over long periods of time always presents a challenge, but...
The development of space reactors represents a crucial advancement in exploration, providing sustainable energy for extended missions and emergency scenarios. This study focuses on the radiological impacts of a hypothetical space reactor accident during atmospheric re-entry at an altitude of 70 km, where aerodynamic and thermal stresses increase the risk of structural disintegration and...
Effective emergency preparedness in nuclear accidents requires understanding the observed radionuclide background, which the African continent is rarely studied for this purpose. This has made it necessary to evaluate the regional radiological baseline data that could be used for radiation impact assessment. The study fills this gap by cataloguing and monitoring radionuclides as detected by...
Base of operations (BOO), as the accommodation and working base of an inspection team, would be a very important facility for an OSI mission. As the OSI would be based on the heavy culture of nuclear, the radiation safety of BOO has its special significance. In the practical case, continued monitoring of the radiation level and the identification of the radioactive sources at BOO, would have...
During the rainy season in Costa Rica there are problems with satellite communications. This is due to the large amount of rain and bad weather conditions. It is analysed as follows: the frequencies used in a VSAT with the International Data Centre (IDC) are between 4.172GHz to 4.174GHz and between 6.397 and 6.399GHz. Using the formula, we can find that the
wavelength of these frequencies are...
This paper elaborates on the history, achievements and impact of the Science and Technology Conferences (SnT) in bolstering the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The paper tracks the evolution from the inaugural Synergies with Science Conference in 2006, the shift to the International Scientific Studies Conference in 2009 and the rebranding to SnT in 2011. These conferences have...
The exhibition "¡Habla Tierra! Venezuela, País Sísmico" aims to enhance public awareness and understanding of seismic activities in Venezuela. This article presents the successful implementation of these initiatives and discusses the integration of International Monitoring System (IMS) technologies into the exhibition as a tool to complement the Capacity Building and Training program,...
Nearly three decades since the establishment of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and global communication and data networks are radically changing the technological landscape in which the CTBTO operates. Concurrently, geopolitical conflicts have impacted states’ trust in international institutions and...
Global Climate Governance is an emerging arena of policy-making with the primary objective of formulating practical alternatives to deal with the adverse consequences of climate change along with creating an agile mechanism that is adequate from a scientific perspective and also encourages universal participation. Countries are experiencing frequent natural disasters due to climate change,...
This work presents the results obtained from the use of geological and geophysical techniques for the identification of large unstable regions, and can be used in on-site inspections within the framework of cooperation and knowledge exchange of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Deep-seated gravitational slope deformations are slow and of great volume. The analyzed case is a...
After the triggering event and political decision to dispatch the inspection team to the inspection area, on-site inspection (OSI) would be initiated at a geological location. Before the inspection team arrives at the point of entry, OSI can only be primarily planned on a GIS platform with the support of International Data Centre data input. The inspection area with the boundaries would be...
Xenon International has recently tested a new quality control (QC) source for the nuclear detectors which uses an acrylic housing for a $^{137}$Cs source. The original source holder used in acceptance testing was $^{137}$Cs housed in a stainless-steel pellet. The high Z of the stainless steel attenuated low energy X-rays. The new QC source allows for the lower energy (~30 keV) emissions from...
