Environmental Sampling and Analysis for Radionuclide Identification and Characterization

Environmental sampling in the context of nuclear safeguards has seen expanded use and authority in recent years, given the recent Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement and continued pressure for Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) signatories to accept the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) additional protocol. Some communities also continue to need effective and efficient environmental sampling of fallout areas from historical nuclear testing and accidental releases to analyze residual health hazards and validate radionuclide environmental transport models. These sampling scenarios share similarities to traditional non- security related environmental radioactivity sampling, but also have unique characteristics that must be considered. This paper seeks to outline these similarities and differences and then discusses how proposed research at the University of Tennessee (UT) will seek to optimize sampling and analysis approaches for the unique nature of nuclear security related environmental sampling.