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Glossary ISTC The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) is an intergovernmental organization established in March 1994 through international agreement among Japan, the United States, the European Union, and the Russian Federation. The objectives of the center are (1) to provide opportunities for peaceful activities to Russian and CIS scientists having knowledge and skills related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, and (2) to support Russia and CIS countries during transition to market-based economies and in basic and applied research. Headquarters of the center are located in Moscow, Russia. ISTC regular project, ISTC partner project ISTC regular and partner projects are scientific programs under the direction of ISTC. The regular project-approved by the ISTC governing board and funding parties in accordance with the objectives of ISTC-is carried out by Russian and CIS scientists. In the partner project (PP), the partner registers the program in advance and finances the project adapted to its own research objectives by concluding an agreement with ISTC and a CIS institute (recipient). The results from the partner project are allocated between the recipient and the partner in accordance with the agreement. CTD/MBS CTD/MBS is a device for oceanographic observations consisting of a meter for conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) and a multi-bottle seawater sampler(MBS). CTD/MBS is operated between the sea's surface and bottom using a winch and wire on board a vessel to raise or lower the device. CTD measurements record detailed vertical profiles of temperature and salinity in seawater; the MBS collects seawater samples at pre-determined depths. Fallout of radionuclides due to nuclear weapons testing “Fallout” is deposits on the earth's surface of radionuclides that were released into the atmosphere from nuclear weapons testing. Some of the radionuclides will be deposited around the proving ground in a short time (close-in fallout), and others reach the stratosphere and circulate for a long time before being deposited on the earth's surface. At present, most of the anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment originate from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons during the 1950s and 1960s. Mooring system A mooring system consists of devices for buoyancy, release, and anchoring, in addition to devices for sampling or measurement. A mooring array is deployed usually for about one year and takes measurements continuously. For example, the direction and speed of currents are observed by mooring a current meter on the system. If settling particles are to be collected at a pre-determined depth, a sediment trap is attached at the correct depth. Sediment trap A sediment trap is deployed at mid-depth in the ocean to collect settling particles directly. Although there are many kinds of sediment traps with different shapes and sizes, in general this project has used a time-series sediment trap that automatically and continuously collects settling particles for multiple periods (from several days to a month for each period). AMS An Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) consists of an ion source, ion injector, tandem-type accelerator, and mass spectrometer. A target ion in a sample is charged to negative at the ion source, accelerated to high energy, separated for each mass and energy, and detected as an isotopic ratio by a detector. Using AMS, isotopic ratios of ultra-trace isotopes (e.g., 14C/12C, 129I/127I) can be measured from a small sample with great precision in a short time. Marine environmental assessment system This computer system predicts the migration or diffusion of pollutants (e.g., radionuclides) released to the marine environment and the resulting radiological consequences for the general public. The system consists of a water circulation model, a material transfer model, and a dose assessment model (in case of radionuclides). The system will be used in real-time predictions of the migration behavior of radionuclides in a nuclear emergency response (short-term assessment), and environmental consequence assessments for radionuclide releases in normal or accidental situations (short or long-term assessment). At present, a system intended for the Japan Sea is under development at JAEA. |
