Project Title

Operation and maintenance of a CTBT radionuclide monitoring station at Palmer Station

Summary

Event Number:
T-998-P
NSF / CTBTo MOA

Program Director:
Ms. Jessie Crain

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Jamee Johnson

Principal Investigator(s)

Mr. Bouvard Hosticka
bh@virginia.edu
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia

Location

Supporting Stations: Palmer Station
Research Locations: Palmer Station

Description

This project services and calibrates the automated radionuclide air-particulate (RN73 RASA) monitoring system in the International Monitoring Station (IMS) building (Terra Lab) at Palmer Station. The IMS continuously collects and automatically analyzes daily air samples for radiation. The collected filter-media samples from the radionuclide aerosol sampler/analyzer (RASA) are sent to Vienna, Austria quarterly for archiving. Filter samples are shipped, upon request, to various laboratories elsewhere in the world.

Field Season Overview

The U.S. Antarctic Program provides year-round, onsite support through an Antarctic Support Contract research associate to help operate and maintain the RASA. Extensive upgrades to the RASA air-sampling system were planned for 2020 but were delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions and are now planned for 2022. This will include replacing the main frame internals and cabinet, as well as making repairs to the inlet ducting. The major equipment is on site for this upgrade and, if possible, two General Dynamics engineers will deploy to help execute the work.

Deploying Team Members