Three years of operational experience from Schauinsland CTBT monitoring station

J Environ Radioact. 2008 Apr;99(4):596-606. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.08.025. Epub 2007 Nov 28.

Abstract

Data from three years of operation of a low-level aerosol sampler and analyzer (RASA) at Schauinsland monitoring station are reported. The system is part of the International Monitoring System (IMS) for verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The fully automatic system is capable to measure aerosol borne gamma emitters with high sensitivity and routinely quantifies 7Be and 212Pb. The system had a high level of data availability of 90% within the reporting period. A daily screening process rendered 66 tentative identifications of verification relevant radionuclides since the system entered IMS operation in February 2004. Two of these were real events and associated to a plausible source. The remaining 64 cases can consistently be explained by detector background and statistical phenomena. Inter-comparison with data from a weekly sampler operated at the same station shows instabilities of the calibration during the test phase and a good agreement since certification of the system.

MeSH terms

  • Air
  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Beryllium / analysis
  • Calibration
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Germany
  • International Cooperation
  • Lanthanum / analysis
  • Lead Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Nuclear Warfare / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Research Design
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Lead Radioisotopes
  • Radioisotopes
  • Lanthanum
  • Beryllium