NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS IN THE USSR: THE NORTH TEST SITE

1,43

MB

REFERENCE MATERIAL

136

stron

2511

ID

International Atomic Energy Agency

2005

rok

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. NORTH TEST SITE: BASIC INFORMATION ON NUCLEAR TESTS (1955-1992) . 4

2.1. Number of nuclear tests . 4

2.2. Characteristics of nuclear tests. 14

2.2.1. Distribution of nuclear tests in the USSR and the USA in energy groups 14

2.3. Main initial parameters for assessment of radiation consequences of nuclear explosions.. 15

2.4. Current radiological situation in far North. 16

2.5. Criteria for radiation and seismic safety of underground nuclear test explosions .. 18

2.6. Scientific support of today's radiological research related to North Test Site activity 23

2.7. Information on the North Test Site 27

2.8. Novaya Zemlya - Nevada (questions and answers) . 28

3. CHRONOLOGY AND RADIATION PHENOMENOLOGY OF UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR

TESTS. 35

3.1. Chronology of underground nuclear explosions at the North Test Site (1964-1990).. 39

3.2. Radiation phenomenology of underground nuclear tests at the North Test Site . 40

4. EXPERT REPORTS.60

4.1. North Test Site: chronology and phenomenology of nuclear tests at the Novaya Zemlya test

site.. 60

4.1.1. Novaya Zemlya Archipelago: brief historical reference. 61

4.1.2. Development and Performance of the North Test Site 62

4.1.3. North Test Site: phenomenology of nuclear tests .. 62

4.1.4. The initial radiation background . 63

4.1.5. Radiation situation in the nineties .. 64

4.1.6. Summary . 64

4.2. Radioactive product containment during underground nuclear explosions in geological

formations of Novaya Zemlya. 69

4.2.1. Principal premises of the concept of ensuring radiation safety of underground nuclear tests ..

69

4.2.2. Features of the geological formation of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago . 70

4.2.3. Conditions for localizing radioactive products of underground nuclear explosions with regard to

the geology of the massif 70

4.2.4. Practical results of ensuring radiation safety of underground nuclear explosions at the North

Test Site 74

4.3. The North Test Site: aspects of environmental monitoring .. 77

4.4. Nuclear tests: radiation monitoring and safety 89

4.5. Underground nuclear explosions in the Arctic for peaceful purposes . 93

4.6. Fauna of Novaya Zemlya today.. 99

4.7. Safety of underground nuclear tests at the northern (Novaya Zemlya) 104

4.8. Radioactivity of water in the Barents and Kara Seas. 110

4.9. Criteria of increased environmental safety at underground nuclear tests 116

4.10. Assessing external gamma and beta exposure of participants in nuclear tests in the absence

of individual dosimetric monitoring. 119

4.11. Around the Arctic nuclear Test Site: radiological consequences on adjacent territories 121

APPENDIX I: ABBREVIATIONS 126

APPENDIX II: SYMBOLS FOR VALUES.. 128

APPENDIX III: RADIATION SAFETY STANDARDS AND RADIATION DOSES FROM IONIZING

RADIATION SOURCES.. 129