Abstract
Environmental sampling (ES) is one of the measures applied in international nuclear safeguards. The detection capability of safeguards ES relies on a combination of highly sensitive analytical techniques and resourceful data evaluation. The evaluation process is dynamic, employing a variety of tools, information and analytical results. While the presence of uranium or plutonium may be a significant finding in itself, high quality isotopic measurements are essential to associate the material with a specific nuclear activity. This is illustrated in cases where the uranium detected appears to be “natural” or “near-natural”, but in fact can be identified with various nuclear processes.
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Axelsson, A., Fischer, D.M. & Peńkin, M.V. Use of data from environmental sampling for IAEA safeguards. Case study: uranium with near-natural 235U abundance. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 282, 725–729 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0149-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0149-9