Cesium-137 concentrations, trends, and sources observed in Kuwait City, Kuwait

As part of the development support for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Prototype International Data Center (PIDC) has been processing radionuclide data since 1995. Radionuclide data received from field stations includes gamma-ray spectra, meteorological data, and state of health (SOH) information. To date over 20 radionuclide monitoring stations have transmitted data to the PIDC. The radionuclide monitoring system collects both aerosol and gas samples. Gamma-ray spectral analysis is performed on the samples to determine if they contain anthropogenic radionuclides indicative of nuclear debris. A key radionuclide monitored by this system is 137Cs. Due to the half-life of 137Cs (30.17 y), amounts of this radionuclide releases are still present in the soil and atmosphere as a result of past nuclear tests and reactor releases. 137Cs from these sources are routinely detected in the prototype CTBT radionuclide monitoring system. Out of the multiple stations that contribute data to the PIDC, the highest 137Cs activity concentrations and largest range of concentrations are observed at the Kuwait City, Kuwait station. A special study was conducted to investigate the concentrations, trends, and origin of 137Cs in the Kuwait aerosol. This study combines over four years worth of aerosol data, meteorological data and soil sample analysis to explore this matter.