The CTBTO/WMO Atmospheric Backtracking Response System and the Data Fusion Exercise 2007
Abstract
Atmospheric Transport Modelling (ATM) is a Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification technology that provides the required network processing capability for measurements at radionuclide stations (particulate as well as noble gas). The associated radionuclide source location analyses are a crucial element of the treaty verification system, since they can be compared and overlaid with localization information obtained from the waveform technologies. Based on the 2003 cooperation agreement between the CTBTO Organization (CTBTO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a WMO Executive Council decision in 2007 and an exchange of letters between the CTBTO Executive Secretary and the Secretary General of WMO, the CTBTO Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) can now request ATM computations from WMO Centres in near-real-time in case of anomalous radionuclide measurements. Currently, nine WMO Centres in Europe (5), North America (1), Asia (2), and Australia (1) are participating. The system serves two purposes, namely (a) to supplement and add confidence to the PTS in-house computations, and (b) to form an ensemble modeling system that accounts for the inherent uncertainty of single models and individual meteorological analyses. The system is scheduled for entry into PTS provisional operations in September 2008. The PTS and WMO have conducted a joint atmospheric backtracking exercise in December 2007. The exercise was triggered by a seismic event from the Standard Event List (SEL3) selected according to predefined criteria, and a forward simulation of the possible release of radionuclides at this event location was performed by the event selection team to obtain a subsequent measurement scenario at IMS radionuclide sites. The evolving measurement scenario was then communicated to the PTS Monitoring and Data Analysis Section, exactly according to the timelines laid down in the Operational Manual.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA516572
Entities
People
- Andreas Becker
- Gerhard Wotawa