Nuclear Melt Glass from Experimental Field, Semipalatinsk Test Site

Investigation of shocked materials provides unique information about behavior of substances in extreme thermodynamic conditions. Near surface nuclear tests have induced multiple transformations of affected soils. Examination of nuclear glasses and relics of entrapped minerals provides a unique database on their behavior under an intense temperature flash. In this work, several types of nuclear fallout particles from historic tests at the Semipalatinsk test site are investigated using complementary analytical methods. Distribution of radionuclides in all types of samples is highly heterogeneous; domains with high content of radionuclides are often intermixed with non-active materials. There is no general correlation between chemical composition of the glassy matrix and content of radionuclides. In aerodynamic fallout, the main fraction of radionuclides is trapped in the outer glassy shell. Relics of quartz grains are always devoid of radionuclides, while glass regions of high activity have different composition. In contrast to underground tests, iron-rich minerals are not necessarily radioactive. In most cases, the glassy matrix in anhydrous and is strongly polymerized, and the Q(3) silicate groups dominate. Temperature-induced transformations of entrapped minerals are discussed. Investigation of zircon grains shows absence of a direct correlation between degree of decomposition into constituting oxides, morphology of resulting baddeleyite, and maximum experienced temperature. For the first time, temperature history of a nuclear ground glass is estimated from Zr diffusion profiles from decomposing zircon grain.

Automated summary

Investigation of shocked materials in extreme thermodynamic conditions provides unique information about their behavior. This study examines nuclear fallout particles from historic tests at the Semipalatinsk test site using complementary analytical methods. The distribution of radionuclides in the samples is highly heterogeneous, with high-content domains intermixed with non-active materials. The chemical composition of the glassy matrix does not correlate with the content of radionuclides. The main fraction of radionuclides in aerodynamic fallout is trapped in the outer glassy shell. The study also discusses the temperature-induced transformations of entrapped minerals and reveals the absence of a direct correlation between the degree of decomposition, resulting morphology, and maximum experienced temperature in zircon grains. The temperature history of a nuclear ground glass is estimated for the first time using Zr diffusion profiles from decomposing zircon grain.