{"id":7737,"date":"2023-12-18T13:49:32","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T17:49:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/?p=7737"},"modified":"2023-12-18T13:49:40","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T17:49:41","slug":"the-efforts-of-chile-and-the-us-to-strengthen-surveillance-of-nuclear-explosions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/?p=7737","title":{"rendered":"The efforts of Chile and the US to strengthen surveillance of nuclear explosions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7734\" src=\"http:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/wosmip_chile_1110x357.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/wosmip_chile_1110x357.png 1110w, https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/wosmip_chile_1110x357-300x96.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/wosmip_chile_1110x357-1024x329.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/wosmip_chile_1110x357-768x247.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1110px) 100vw, 1110px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s consider two scenarios: on the one hand, we have the International Surveillance System (SIV) which, through monitoring stations with various technologies, located in different points worldwide, is responsible for ensuring the verification of nuclear tests; and, on the other hand, we have radioactive emissions from peaceful sources emitted during the operation of a research reactor or the production of isotopes for nuclear medicine, among other applications. Now the question is, how are these two scenarios related?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, it happens that the emissions produced by these latter facilities can interfere with the detection systems of the monitoring stations, given that they can detect emissions similar to those of a nuclear test. And, precisely, this is the topic of discussion and the challenge faced by the nearly one hundred experts, from 17 countries around the world, who met from December 4 to 7, 2023, in Santiago de Chile, at the framework of the<\/span><b> 9th Workshop on Signatures of Man-Made Isotope Production<\/b> <b>(<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wosmip.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>WOSMIP<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for its acronym in English).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In that context, and as part of his work for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/nnsa\/articles\/us-and-chile-work-together-enhance-nuclear-explosion-monitoring-and-strengthen-global\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Nuclear Security Administration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnnl.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ctbto.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr>) joined forces to organize this new meeting \u2013 its ninth version \u2013 which brought together experts from all over the world to discuss ways to differentiate between different emissions and promote, as a common purpose, safety of people and the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ted Bowyer, manager of the nuclear explosion monitoring program at PNNL, \u201cthis workshop sought to study the scientific aspects related to emissions from peaceful sources that may affect our nuclear explosion detection techniques. We celebrate the collaboration of <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr> and many international organizations related to this type of research. During three days of meetings we discussed physical, chemical and engineering problems that will help us discover new ways to do better threat modeling for the entire world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lori Metz, senior radiochemist at PNNL, confirmed that \u201cprevious versions of WOSMIP have been very successful, because they are a unique opportunity for producers of both medical isotopes and other man-made isotopes to work alongside experts. in nuclear explosion detection, so that they can learn and collaborate with each other to make this world a safer place for health and monitoring. Therefore, WOSMIP IX is also very important for both communities to continue working together, strengthening the ties of friendship that have been forged over the years and enriching the discussions. \u00abWe need to continue to understand the different sources of radioxenon in the atmosphere, to understand how we can use that information to reduce the impact on nuclear explosion monitoring.\u00bb<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Workshop in Chile\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The opening day, which took place on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Santiago, brought together national authorities, led by the Undersecretary of Energy, <\/span><b>Luis Felipe Ramos Barrera<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; the Executive Director of the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr>, <\/span><b>Luis Huerta Torchio<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; the President of the Board of Directors of the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr>, <\/span><b>Julio Maturana Fran\u00e7a<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; and the Director of the Human and International Security Division (DISIN) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, <\/span><b>Ignacio Llanos Mardones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The opening words were given by the Energy authority, <\/span><b>Luis Felipe Ramos<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who stressed that \u201cChile is proud to be part of this initiative that brings together nearly one hundred professionals dedicated to deepening the understanding of the traces left by isotopes. Our country&#8217;s participation in this event is crucial to advance in fundamental areas such as nuclear control, environmental surveillance and non-proliferation. This exchange of knowledge not only strengthens our commitment to scientific research and development, but also contributes to positioning Chile as a relevant actor in the international arena.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immediately afterwards, <\/span><b>Luis Huerta Torchio<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> emphasized that \u00abour commitment as a public institution is to expand our capabilities and explore new avenues for the peaceful uses of nuclear sciences, emphasizing the safety of operation and facilities. Host WOSMIP and supervise our installation of isotope production are ways in which Chile demonstrates its commitment, both to the safe use of nuclear technology and to non-proliferation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The WOSMIP agenda combined a wide variety of topics related to production, sources and emissions, background and supervision, under various dynamic formats, which sought to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences, dialogue and debate. Hence, this meeting space offered exhibitions, spaces for discussion and exchange, along with poster sessions, which enriched the meeting and the consensus of ideas between the experts who gave life to the ninth version of this forum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is worth remembering that the first day of WOSMIP in Chile began with a visit, by the participants of the event, to the facilities of the La Reina Nuclear Studies Center of the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr>, where, on the one hand, there was time to visit the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Reactor Experimental Chileno N\u00ba1, ubicado en el Centro de Estudios Nucleares La Reina.'>RECH-1<\/abbr> reactor, the cyclotron and the Nuclear Research Laboratory; and on the other hand, share with the officials of the Commission, in a space that was created especially to encourage networking. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/?p=7712\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See more<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As is traditional in each Workshop, an award is given for the best poster and the best presentation. Thus, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wosmip.org\/wosmip-ix-posters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Woster Award<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(WOSMIP + poster) went to <\/span><b>Sri Sundari Retnoasih,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> representative of the <\/span><b>National Research and Innovation Agency<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Indonesia, with her poster that addressed the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00abEstimation of radioxenon release trajectories based on the recent development of the molten salt reactor<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00ab. Meanwhile, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wosmip.org\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/2.3_XENAH%20Current%20status%2C%20results%20and%20challenges%20faced_Petts.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Wozzie Award<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, referring to the best speaker, went to <\/span><b>Andrew Petts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, from <\/span><b>EDF Energy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the United Kingdom, who spoke about \u00ab<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">XENAH: Current situation, results and challenges.\u00bb<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It should be noted that, among the 20 posters presented at the event, one of them corresponded to the one prepared jointly by <\/span><b>Dr. Ana Vald\u00e9s Dur\u00e1n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, geologist and researcher at the Center for Nuclear Technologies in Vulnerable Ecosystems (CTNEV) of the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr>, and <\/span><b>Christopher Celis Huaiquilaf<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, analyst at the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr> National Data Center and also a geologist. Their work focused on \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potential studies of radioactive elements in soils and sediments of Chile.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAfter finishing this 9th version of WOSMIP, I can say that this workshop has been a complete success, since it has been the meeting point for experts who have been able to witness various presentations, all very varied and interesting, and more importantly, who have contributed with their contributions, from their different perspectives, to this great challenge that is ultimately, strengthening the surveillance of nuclear explosions, with the purpose of guaranteeing the safety of people and the environment. WOSMIP ends, but the commitment continues, and that leads us to continue working towards this great objective that unites us.\u201d concluded <\/span><b>Paola Garc\u00eda Pe\u00f1a<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, counterpart of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty since the <abbr class='c2c-text-hover' title='Comisi\u00f3n Chilena de Energ\u00eda Nuclear.'>CCHEN<\/abbr>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let&#8217;s consider two scenarios: on the one hand, we have the International Surveillance System (SIV) which, through monitoring stations with various technologies, located in different points worldwide, is responsible for ensuring the verification of nuclear tests; and, on the other hand, we have radioactive emissions from peaceful sources emitted during the operation of a research&#8230; <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/?p=7737\">Leer m\u00e1s >><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sin-categoria"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7737"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7738,"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7737\/revisions\/7738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cchen.cl\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}