Keillor Martin E, Arrigo Leah M, Baciak James E, Chipman Veraun, Detwiler Rebecca S, Emer Dudley F, Kernan Warnick J, Kirkham Randy R, MacDougall Matthew R, Milbrath Brian D, Rishel Jeremy P, Seifert Allen, Seifert Carolyn E, Smart John E
*Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN: J4-65, Richland, WA 99352; †University of Florida, Materials Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 116400, Gainesville, FL, 32611; ‡National Security Technologies LLC, Las Vegas, NV, 89193; §Oregon State University, Nuclear Science and Engineering, 3451 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331.
Health Phys. 2016 May;110(5):533-47. doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000000506.
A radioactive particulate release experiment to produce a near-field ground deposition representative of small-scale venting from an underground nuclear test was conducted to gather data in support of treaty capability development activities. For this experiment, a CO2-driven "air cannon" was used to inject (140)La, a radioisotope of lanthanum with 1.7-d half-life and strong gamma-ray emissions, into the lowest levels of the atmosphere at ambient temperatures. Witness plates and air samplers were laid out in an irregular grid covering the area where the plume was anticipated to deposit based on climatological wind records. This experiment was performed at the Nevada National Security Site, where existing infrastructure, radiological procedures, and support personnel facilitated planning and execution of the work. A vehicle-mounted NaI(Tl) spectrometer and a polyvinyl toluene-based backpack instrument were used to survey the deposited plume. Hand-held instruments, including NaI(Tl) and lanthanum bromide scintillators and high purity germanium spectrometers, were used to take in situ measurements. Additionally, three soil sampling techniques were investigated and compared. The relative sensitivity and utility of sampling and survey methods are discussed in the context of on-site inspection.
进行了一项放射性微粒释放实验，以产生代表地下核试验小规模排放的近场地面沉积，目的是收集数据以支持条约能力发展活动。在该实验中，使用二氧化碳驱动的“空气炮”，在环境温度下将镧的放射性同位素（140）La（半衰期为1.7天，具有强烈的伽马射线发射）注入大气的最低层。根据气象风记录，在预计羽流沉积区域的不规则网格中布置了见证板和空气采样器。该实验在内华达国家安全站点进行，那里现有的基础设施、放射程序和支持人员为工作的规划和执行提供了便利。使用车载碘化钠（铊）光谱仪和基于聚乙烯甲苯的背包式仪器对沉积的羽流进行测量。手持仪器，包括碘化钠（铊）和溴化镧闪烁体以及高纯锗光谱仪，用于进行现场测量。此外，还对三种土壤采样技术进行了研究和比较。在现场检查的背景下讨论了采样和测量方法的相对灵敏度和实用性。
