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International monitoring system facility related to Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The monitoring station at IRD measures and analysis the abundance of radionuclides in atmospheric particulates and also in the noble gases. A radionuclide is an isotop with an unstable nucleus that loses its excess energy by emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. This process is called radioactive decay. Radionuclides may occur naturally, but they can also be artificially produced. Radionuclides are often called radioisotopes.

This technology is the only one that can confirm whether an explosion is indicative of a nuclear test. Monitoring takes place continuously, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. In this station located at IRD, Rócio Reis is the responsible for the operation and maintenance of the station. Noble gases are chemical elements that normally occur in their gaseous state. The name “noble gases” emphasizes the fact that these elements are inert and rarely react with other chemicals. In comparison to radionuclide particles, noble gas atoms are very small.

Radioactive noble gas isotopes – in particular xenon isotopes - are among the fission products generated in a nuclear explosion. Due to their property of being inert, these xenon isotopes will not attach to debris or dust to form larger particles. They remain in their gaseous state and some of them will seep through layers of rock and sediment until they escape into the air. Exposed to prevailing winds, they are dispersed in the atmosphere and may, after a certain period of time, be detected thousands of kilometres away from the explosion site.

The objective of the CTBTO’s radionuclide monitoring network is to detect this residual radiation in the form of radioactive particles or noble gas, even if only in miniscule amounts. The stations are suported by 16 radionuclide laboratories. This year CTBT makes 25 years playing a main role in global non-proliferation efforts.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty makes it very difficult for countries to develop nuclear bombs for the first time, or for countries that already have them, to make more powerful bombs. It also prevents the huge damage caused by radioactivity from nuclear explosions to humans, animals and plants. Monitoring system consists of 337 facilities worldwide to monitor the planet for signs of nuclear explosions. Otherwise, there are seismic, hydroacoustic and infrasound stations. 

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