What's Inside the Mushroom Cloud
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Bellucci Et Al. 2016 Trinitite Revised V Final
1 Direct Pb isotopic analysis of a nuclear fallout debris particle from the 2 Trinity nuclear test 3 4 5 Jeremy J. Bellucci1*, Joshua F. Snape1, Martin W. Whitehouse1, Alexander A. Nemchin1,2 6 7 *Corresponding author, email address: [email protected] 8 9 1Department of Geosciences, Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE-104 05 10 Stockholm, Sweden 11 2 Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia 12 13 Abstract 14 15 The Pb isotope composition of a nuclear fallout debris particle has been directly 16 measured in post-detonation materials produced during the Trinity nuclear test by a 17 secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) scanning ion image technique (SII). This 18 technique permits the visual assessment of the spatial distribution of Pb and can be used 19 to obtain full Pb isotope compositions in user-defined regions in a 70 µm x 70 µm 20 analytical window. In conjunction with BSE and EDS mapping of the same particle, the 21 Pb measured in this fallout particle cannot be from a major phase in the precursor arkosic 22 sand. Similarly, the Pb isotope composition of the particle is resolvable from the 23 surrounding glass at the 2σ uncertainty level. The Pb isotope composition measured in 24 the particle here is in excellent agreement with that inferred from measurements of green 25 and red trinitite, suggesting that these types of particles are responsible for the Pb isotope 26 compositions measured in both trinitite glasses. 27 28 29 Keywords: 30 31 Trinitite, Trinity Test, Post Detonation Nuclear Forensics, Pb isotopes, SIMS, Scanning 32 Ion Imaging, Fallout Debris, Forensics 33 34 35 Introduction 36 37 In the event of a non-state sanctioned nuclear attack, forensic investigations will 38 be necessary to determine the provenance of the weapon and the materials used in 39 construction of the device. -
Experimental Γ Ray Spectroscopy and Investigations of Environmental Radioactivity
Experimental γ Ray Spectroscopy and Investigations of Environmental Radioactivity BY RANDOLPH S. PETERSON 216 α Po 84 10.64h. 212 Pb 1- 415 82 0- 239 β- 01- 0 60.6m 212 1+ 1630 Bi 2+ 1513 83 α β- 2+ 787 304ns 0+ 0 212 α Po 84 Experimental γ Ray Spectroscopy and Investigations of Environmental Radioactivity Randolph S. Peterson Physics Department The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee Published by Spectrum Techniques All Rights Reserved Copyright 1996 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction ....................................................................................................................4 Basic Gamma Spectroscopy 1. Energy Calibration ................................................................................................... 7 2. Gamma Spectra from Common Commercial Sources ........................................ 10 3. Detector Energy Resolution .................................................................................. 12 Interaction of Radiation with Matter 4. Compton Scattering............................................................................................... 14 5. Pair Production and Annihilation ........................................................................ 17 6. Absorption of Gammas by Materials ..................................................................... 19 7. X Rays ..................................................................................................................... 21 Radioactive Decay 8. Multichannel Scaling and Half-life ..................................................................... -
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
J Radioanal Nucl Chem (2013) 298:993–1003 DOI 10.1007/s10967-013-2497-8 A multi-method approach for determination of radionuclide distribution in trinitite Christine Wallace • Jeremy J. Bellucci • Antonio Simonetti • Tim Hainley • Elizabeth C. Koeman • Peter C. Burns Received: 21 January 2013 / Published online: 13 April 2013 Ó Akade´miai Kiado´, Budapest, Hungary 2013 Abstract The spatial distribution of radiation within trin- The results from this study indicate that the device-related ititethinsectionshavebeenmappedusingalphatrack radionuclides were preferentially incorporated into the radiography and beta autoradiography in combination with glassy matrix in trinitite. optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Alpha and beta maps have identified areas of higher activity, Keywords Trinitite Á Nuclear forensics Á Radionuclides Á and these are concentrated predominantly within the surfi- Fission and activation products Á Laser ablation inductively cial glassy component of trinitite. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses conducted at high spatial resolution yield weighted average 235U/238Uand240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.00718 ± 0.00018 (2r) Introduction and 0.0208 ± 0.0012 (2r), respectively, and also reveal the presence of some fission (137Cs) and activation products Nuclear proliferation and terrorism are arguably the gravest (152,154Eu). The LA-ICP-MS results indicate positive cor- of threats to the security of any nation. The ability to relations between Pu ion signal intensities and abundances decipher forensic signatures in post-detonation nuclear of Fe, Ca, U and 137Cs. These trends suggest that Pu in debris is essential, both to provide a deterrence and to trinitite is associated with remnants of certain chemical permit a response to an incident. -
Lightning Strikes As a Major Facilitator of Prebiotic Phosphorus Reduction on Early Earth ✉ Benjamin L
ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21849-2 OPEN Lightning strikes as a major facilitator of prebiotic phosphorus reduction on early Earth ✉ Benjamin L. Hess 1,2,3 , Sandra Piazolo 2 & Jason Harvey2 When hydrated, phosphides such as the mineral schreibersite, (Fe,Ni)3P, allow for the synthesis of important phosphorus-bearing organic compounds. Such phosphides are com- mon accessory minerals in meteorites; consequently, meteorites are proposed to be a main 1234567890():,; source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus on early Earth. Here, we propose an alternative source for widespread phosphorus reduction, arguing that lightning strikes on early Earth potentially formed 10–1000 kg of phosphide and 100–10,000 kg of phosphite and hypo- phosphite annually. Therefore, lightning could have been a significant source of prebiotic, reactive phosphorus which would have been concentrated on landmasses in tropical regions. Lightning strikes could likewise provide a continual source of prebiotic reactive phosphorus independent of meteorite flux on other Earth-like planets, potentially facilitating the emer- gence of terrestrial life indefinitely. 1 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. 2 School of Earth and Environment, Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics, The University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. 3 Department of Geology and Environmental Science, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, USA. ✉ email: [email protected] NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | (2021) 12:1535 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21849-2 | www.nature.com/naturecommunications 1 ARTICLE NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21849-2 ife on Earth likely originated by 3.5 Ga1 with carbon isotopic Levidence suggesting as early as 3.8–4.1 Ga2,3. -
Everyone in the World, and in That Sense a Completely Common Problem
" . .When you come right down to it the reason that we did this job is because it was an organic necessity. If you are a scientist you cannot stop such a thing . You believe that it is good to find out how the world works . [and] to turn over to mankind at large the greatest possible power to control the world and to deal with it according to its lights and its values. " . I think it is true to say that atomic weapons are a peril which affect everyone in the world, and in that sense a completely common problem . I think that in order to handle this common problem there must be a complete sense of community responsibility. " . The one point I want to hammer home is what an enormous change in spirit is involved. There are things which we hold very dear, and I think rightly hold very dear; I would say that the word democracy perhaps stood for some of them as well as any other word. There are many parts of the world in which there is no democracy . And when I speak of a new spirit in international affairs I mean that even to these deepest of things which we cherish, and for which Americans have been willing to die—and certainly most of us would be willing to die—even in these deepest things, we realize that there is something more profound than that; namely the common bond with other men everywhere . .“ J. Robert Oppenheimer speech to the Association of Los Alamos Scientists Los Alamos November 2, 1945 Excerpts from a speech to the Association of Los Alamos Scientists in Los Alamos, New Mexico, on November 2, 1945. -
The Effect of Chemical Incidents on First Responders
2019 The Effect of Chemical Incidents on First Responders: An Interview with Bruce Evans (MPA, NRP, CFOD, SEMSO), Fire Chief, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District A massive leak of liquefied chlorine gas created a dangerous cloud over the city of Henderson, NV, in the early morning hours of May 6, 1991. Over 200 people (including firefighters) were examined at a local hospital for respiratory distress caused by inhalation of the chlorine and approximately 30 were admitted for treatment. Approximately 700 individuals were taken to shelters, and between 2,000 and 7,000 individuals were evacuated from the area. ASPR TRACIE interviewed Chief Bruce Evans (who was a firefighter- paramedic at the time of the incident), asking him to share his my first large-scale incident: the experiences and highlight how the PEPCON explosion. PEPCON was Access these U.S. Fire Administration Technical Reports fire and emergency response to a rocket fuel plant that supplied propellant used for the space for more information on these chemical incidents has changed incidents: over the years. shuttle program. This explosion sent a shock wave over the • Fire and Explosions at Rocket Corina Solé Brito, ASPR TRACIE entire Las Vegas Valley, blew out Fuel Plant (CSB): Can you please share windows that were miles away, • Massive Leak of Liquefied your experience in Henderson and created a small, multicolored Chlorine Gas and other related incidents, how mushroom cloud on the south end you think the field has changed of the valley. The Professional since then, and what you think Golfers’ Association (PGA) was the future holds? also in town, so there were satellite or injuries from flying debris were I am fortunate trucks and news trucks present. -
A Detailed Geochemical Investigation of Post-Nuclear Detonation Trinitite Glass at High Spatial Resolution: Delineating Anthropogenic Vs
Chemical Geology 365 (2014) 69–86 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chemical Geology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/chemgeo A detailed geochemical investigation of post-nuclear detonation trinitite glass at high spatial resolution: Delineating anthropogenic vs. natural components Jeremy J. Bellucci ⁎, Antonio Simonetti, Elizabeth C. Koeman, Christine Wallace, Peter C. Burns Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences, Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States article info abstract Article history: This study documents, for the first time, the combined abundances of major and trace elements at high spatial Received 24 March 2013 resolution for trinitite glass, which was produced during the first atomic weapon test (Trinity site; New Received in revised form 4 December 2013 Mexico, USA). The results indicate that the chemical composition of trinitite is largely dependent on the precursor Accepted 5 December 2013 mineral phases found in the arkosic sand at the Trinity site. The chemical compositions of trinitite were evaluated Available online 16 December 2013 using principal component analysis, which indicates that trends may be attributed to mixing between an anthro- Editor: L. Reisberg pogenic component and phases (both major and minor) within the arkosic sand. The resolvable anthropogenic component in trinitite is made up of metals including Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Nb, Pb, Ta, and Ti. Uranium Keywords: in trinitite appears to have two sources: natural U-bearing phases and the tamper used in the device. The concen- Nuclear forensics trations of volatile anthropogenic metals (Co, Cr, Cu, and Pb) are enriched in samples that originate from N74 m Trinity away from ground zero. -
Radioactivity 60 (2002) 165-187 RADIOACTIVITY
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL Journal of ELSEVIER Environmental Radioactivity 60 (2002) 165-187 RADIOACTIVITY An assessment of the reported leakage of anthropogenic radionuclides from the underground nuclear test sites at Amchitka Island, Alaska, USA to the surface environment Douglas Dashera3*,Wayne ans son^, Stan Reada, Scott FalleS, Dennis Farmerc, Wes ~furd~,John Kelleye, Robert patrickf " Aluska Department of Etz~~ironmentalConservation, 610 Liniversitj Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA ~at~sonEnvironmentul Research Sercice, Inc.,I902 Yew Street Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226, USA ' U.S. Encironmental Protection Agency Radiation and Indoor Encironments National Laboratory, P.O. Box 98517, La.r P'egrrs, NV 89193, USA d~osAlatnos Nationnl Laboratorj, Clzemical Science and Technology, MS J514, Lo.s Alamos, NM 87545, USA 'Institute of Marine Science, Lini~lersityof' Alasku Fairbanks, Fuirbanks, AK 99775, USA ~1eutinn:~ribil~flslantr' Association, 201 East 3rd Arenue, Ancltoraye, AK 99501, USA Received 14 February 2000; accepted 26 May ZOO0 Abstract Three underground nuclear tests representing approximately 15-16% of the total effective energy released during the United States underground nuclear testing program from 1951 to 1992 were conducted at Amchitka Island, Alaska. In 1996, Greenpeace reported that leakage of radionuclides, 24'~mand 239t'40 Pu, from these underground tests to the terrestrial and freshwater environments had been detected. In response to this report, a federal, state, tribal and non-governmental team conducted a terrestrial and freshwater radiological sampling program in 1997. Additional radiological sampling was conducted in 1998. An assessment of the reported leakage to the freshwater environment was evaluated by assessing 'H values in surface waters and 240~~/239~~ratios in various sample media. -
Fallout Model for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator Blake Purnell the Radioactive Cloud Model
Fallout Model for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator Blake Purnell Modeling radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions requires a description of the radioactive cloud and base surge and an atmospheric transport model for the cloud dispersion. The atmospheric transport model is independent of the radioactive nature of the dust and I will stick to a simple model in this study. The Radioactive Cloud Model Radioactive Release The first stage in understanding the fallout from a nuclear explosion is to estimate the amount of radioactivity released into the atmosphere. For external exposure to radiation, the main threat is from gamma-rays. The average gamma-ray activity1 produced in a nuclear explosion has been calculated as 530 megacuries per kiloton of fission yield at one hour after the explosion, with an average photon energy of 0.7 MeV. The data available on underground nuclear tests focuses on the fraction of the total activity found in “early” or “close-in” fallout ( Fc ), which measures only those particles that have been deposited in the first 24 2 hours . The fraction of the total activity released into the atmosphere ( f rel ) is greater than what appears in 3 the early fallout ( f rel > Fc ). The fraction Fc is dependant on the scaled depth of burst . A summary of the activity release data available for U.S. and Soviet underground tests are shown in Tables 1, Table 2, and Figure 1. Table 1: Activity Released from U.S. Underground Nuclear Tests. Test Yield Depth of Burst Scaled Depth of Burst Fraction of Total Activity 1/3 (kt) (m) (m/kt ) in Early Fallout (Fc) Jangle Sa 1.2 0 0 0.50 Jangle Ua 1.2 5.18 4.88 0.64 Teapot ESSa 1.2 20.4 19.2 0.46 Schoonerb 30 111 35.8 0.48 Cabrioletb 2.3 51.8 39.3 0.028 Buggyb,c 1.08 41.1 40.1 0.038 Sedanb,d 100 194 41.7 0.18 Danny Boya 0.43 33.5 44.4 0.04 Sulkyb 0.088 27.4 61.6 0.001 Neptunea 0.115 30.5 62.7 0.005 Blancaa 19 255 95.4 0.0005 a) Release fraction from Knox-65, Table 1. -
AGO-Camera Atomica-REV-FINAL-REV.Indd
Camera Atomica Camera Atomica edited by John O’Brian Contents 6 Foreword Matthew Teitelbaum 8 Acknowledgements John O’Brian 11 Introduction: Through a Radioactive Lens John O’Brian 30 Test and Protest 75 Nuclear Flowers of Hell John O’Brian 107 Posing by the Cloud: US Nuclear Test Site Photography in Process Julia Bryan-Wilson 124 Hiroshima and Nagasaki 151 Hidden and Forgotten Hibakusha: Nuclear Legacy Hiromitsu Toyosaki 165 Atomic Photographs Below the Surface Blake Fitzpatrick 180 Uranium and Radiation 217 Through the Lens, Darkly Iain Boal and Gene Ray 234 Visible and Invisible 269 The Wrong Sun Douglas Coupland 277 Radical Contact Prints Susan Schuppli 292 Atomic Timeline 294 List of Illustrations 304 Colophon This is the corrected version of an essay that originally appeared in Camera Atomica (ed. John O’Brian, Art Gallery of Ontario and Black Dog Publishing, 2015). Quotations should be derived from this version of the text, and not the earlier print version. Posing by the Cloud: US Nuclear Test Site Photography in Process Julia Bryan-Wilson 8 Camera Atomica Fig. 1. United States Department of Energy News Nob, Nevada Test Site, established April 22, 1952, 1952 Julia Bryan-Wilson Posing by the Cloud 9 A cluster of cameras perched on their tripods stare out from a rocky outcropping. [Fig. 1] Boxes of equipment huddle at their feet as men ready the equipment for use. What event have they gathered to capture? What sight are they eagerly facing? This is News Nob, a strategic spot positioned seven miles from the Nevada Test Site that was established in 1952 as a designated area for journalists to photograph the nearby atomic detonations. -
Trinity Site July 16, 1945
Trinity Site July 16, 1945 "The effects could well be called unprecedented, magnificent, beauti ful, stupendous, and terrifying. No man-made phenomenon of such tremendous power had ever occurred before. The lighting effects beggared description. The whole country was lighted by a searing light with the intensity many times that of the midday sun." Brig. Gen. Thomas Farrell A national historic landmark on White Sands Missile Range -- www.wsmr.army.mil Radiation Basics Radiation comes from the nucJeus of the gamma ray. This is a type of electromag individual atoms. Simple atoms like oxygen netic radiation like visible light, radio waves are very stable. Its nucleus has eight protons and X-rays. They travel at the speed of light. and eight neutrons and holds together well. It takes at least an inch of lead or eight The nucJeus of a complex atom like inches of concrete to stop them. uranium is not as stable. Uranium has 92 Finally, neutrons are also emitted by protons and 146 neutrons in its core. These some radioactive substances. Neutrons are unstable atoms tend to break down into very penetrating but are not as common in more stable, simpler forms. When this nature. Neutrons have the capability of happens the atom emits subatomic particles striking the nucleus of another atom and and gamma rays. This is where the word changing a stable atom into an unstable, and "radiation" comes from -- the atom radiates therefore, radioactive one. Neutrons emitted particles and rays. in nuc!ear reactors are contained in the Health physicists are concerned with reactor vessel or shielding and cause the four emissions from the nucleus of these vessel walls to become radioactive. -
In the Shadow of the Mushroom Cloud: Nuclear Testing, Radioactive Fallout and Damage to U.S. Agriculture
In the Shadow of the Mushroom Cloud: Nuclear Testing, Radioactive Fallout and Damage to U.S. Agriculture September 1, 2017 Abstract In the 1950s the United States conducted scores of nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Each test created tremendous quantities of harmful radioactive material and much of this material deposited across the country with precipitation. This paper is the first in the economics literature to measure some of the external costs of NTS activities. I find that fallout from nuclear tests adversely affected U.S. agriculture for large areas of the country. These empirical results show that nuclear testing had much broader economic and environmental impact than previously thought. The Cold War saw the rapid development and deployment of nuclear weapons. To expedite its nuclear weapons program, the United States started to conduct atmospheric nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in 1951. This deliberate policy decision created immense quantities of radioactive debris and much of this material rained down across the U.S.. One estimate places the total atmospheric release of radioactive material from the NTS from 1951 to 1963 at 12 billion Curies. In comparison, the partial nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl released approximately 81 million Curies of radioactive material (LeBaron, 1998). Knowledge regarding the impact of this pollution is limited to scientific and health studies conducted in the regions surrounding the NTS. Nuclear testing had large pollution externalities associated with it, but the magnitude and extent of the nationwide harm caused by NTS activities have yet to be measured. This paper quantifies one dimension of the external costs of these activities by studying the adverse effects of radioactive fallout on U.S.