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[en] The International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a verification regime designed to monitor and detect any suspicious explosion activity that could be associated with a nuclear test in all environments such as underground, underwater, and atmosphere. This paper aims to review, observe and summarize the CTBT IMS data of ten radionuclide stations near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), DPRK nuclear test site, and Malaysia. This study aims to create a comprehensive analysis and database of the anthropogenic radionuclides if detected around the east coast of Malaysia. This information could be used for future assessment if any radionuclide contamination is detected in Malaysia. For this study, radionuclide data from the Malaysian CTBT National Data Centre (NDC) Monitoring Reports from 2014 to 2021 is being used. The method used for this study is the combination of time series analysis and descriptive analysis. The concentration reading four most significant radionuclides recorded at ten radionuclide monitoring stations namely, Cesium-137, Cesium-134, Iodine-131, and Sodium-24, were plotted and examined for any changes in trend pattern, seasonal pattern as well as the occurrence of anomaly. These anthropogenic radionuclides were selected because it has a longer half-life and can harm human health. Next, the trend pattern, seasonal pattern, and anomalies were correlated with the meteorological data, location of respective stations, and significant world events such as nuclear weapon tests, nuclear power plant accidents, and volcanic eruptions. As predicted, stations near the hotspot area, such as the FDNPP accident, DPRK nuclear test site, and Chernobyl accident, show the most activity as the effect of the events is still applicable. Station RUP58 Ussuriysk in Russia recorded the most frequent detection with 1629 detections of Cesium-137 and the highest concentration with a 5.0 x 10^-4 Bqm^-3 reading of Cesium-137. This reading is because the station is located near the site of a previous nuclear accident, nuclear test, or an active nuclear power plant. Stations with a wide range of temperature and rainfall, such as JPP38 Okinawa, Japan, RUP54 Kirov, Russia, and MNP45 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, were observed to produce a significant seasonal pattern following the average rainfall. One highlighted result was the spike in concentration reading of Cesium-137 and Cesium-134 in February 2014. Cesium-137 was observed to record a concentration of 5.0 x 10^-4 Bqm^-3, while Cesium-134 recorded a reading of 2.0 x 10^-4 Bqm^-3. Atmospheric Transport Modelling (ATM) can further investigate the potential source of the anthropogenic radionuclides. ATM provides depth and more comprehensive knowledge regarding the dispersion of the radionuclides as forward and backtracking of the aerosols studied can be done to validate the sources further. This study further validates that the trend pattern of the concentration reading of anthropogenic radionuclide exists if any nuclear-related event such as the commissioning or decommissioning of the nuclear power plant and nuclear power test. This study also confirms the effect of the meteorological condition of an area on the detection of anthropogenic radionuclides. (author)

[en] The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral agreement that prohibits any nuclear explosion, whether for military or civilian purposes. The treaty is supported by a network of International Monitoring Systems (IMS), including radionuclide monitoring stations. Malaysia is the Member State of CTBT and hosts the Radionuclide Monitoring Station (Location Code: RN42) in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Continuous daily measurements at RN42 have been an invaluable resource for understanding the variation of natural radioactivity in that area. This study analyses radionuclide measured at the surface air in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang via RN42 station in 2020. The results show that most of the radionuclide measurements in RN42 are categorised as a natural background. However, throughout 2020, the station has several times measured radionuclides with anomalous concentrations. The significant findings may form the basis for further studies on local radiological impact assessment as well as the development of baseline radiological data. (author)

[en] Under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), an International Monitoring System (IMS) is being developed worldwide which involve the development of monitoring stations encompassing seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide technologies. The main function of the IMS is for monitoring global nuclear weapon test. As a Member State to the Treaty since 23 July 1998, Malaysia has received various benefits including access to IMS data. Apart from being used for nuclear weapons test monitoring, IMS data also can be utilized for civil and scientific purposes. After more than two decades of CTBT membership, no dedicated study was conducted to assess the level of utilization of IMS data in Malaysia. Therefore, this study was conducted with the objective to assess the level of awareness about CTBT and the level of IMS data utilization among research institutions, universities and relevant government agencies in Malaysia. Online survey and desktop study involving research institutions, local universities as well as relevant government agencies were used in this study. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, this study concluded that the level of awareness and understanding of CTBT as well as the use of IMS data among research institutions, universities and government agencies is low. The study also found that there is a high level of interest among research institutions, universities and government agencies to know more about IMS data as well as its potential utilization for civil and scientific use. (author)

[en] Malaysia has established the CTBT National Data Centre (MY-NDC) in December 2005. MY-NDC is tasked to perform Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty (CTBT) data management as well as provide information for Treaty related events to Nuclear Malaysia as CTBT National Authority. In 2015, MY-NDC has participated in the National Data Centre Preparedness Exercise 2015 (NPE 2015). This paper aims at presenting MY-NDC preliminary analysis result of NPE 2015. In NPE 2015, MY-NDC has performed five different analyses, namely, radionuclide, atmospheric transport modelling (ATM), data fusion, seismic analysis and site forensics. The preliminary findings show the hypothetical scenario in NPE 2015 most probably is an uncontained event resulted high release of radionuclide to the air. (author)

[en] Over the past three decades, the utilisation of nuclear technology in various sectors in Malaysia has expanded positively. This is reflected through coherent development of its infrastructures and all relevant governmental framework. This scenario testify that peaceful use of nuclear technology is increasingly accepted by the public, particularly in the sector of medical & healthcare, food and agriculture, water and environment and industry. This paper presented an overview on the development of utilisation of nuclear technology in Malaysia. The study focus on development of nuclear technology post 2009 in two main sectors, namely medical and non-medical. This study used data collected from year 2009 to 2016, including data on the number of licenses on nuclear and radiation related activities issued by regulatory body. The study found that the use of nuclear technology in medical sector outnumbered the non-medical sector for seven consecutive years since 2009. (author)

[en] The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is briefly characterized as a global arms control and disarmament initiative, which complementing the goal of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The verification regime of the CTBT is designed to monitor countries' compliance with the CTBT by detecting any nuclear explosion conducted on Earth - underground, underwater or in the atmosphere. This paper briefly goes through the International Monitoring System (IMS) of CTBT's verification regime that uses four different technologies - seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound and radionuclide - to monitor the planet for nuclear explosions. It then pays particular attention to the seismology techniques, including the basic methods of seismic monitoring and the challenges in discriminates between underground explosions and earthquakes. It also summarizes the main conclusions concerning the seismic analyses, based on experience of the Malaysian CTBT National Data Centre (MY-NDC) in National Data Centre Preparedness Exercise 2015. It concludes that underground explosions produce seismic waves with unique characteristics which allow the discrimination between explosions and earthquakes. (author)

[en] Following the signature of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 23 July 1998, Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) was designated as the CTBT National Authority in Malaysia. Subsequently, Malaysia ratified the treaty on 17 January 2008. Following the ratification, a CTBT National Data Centre (CTBT-NDC) was established at Nuclear Malaysia. The objective of this paper is to elaborate the unique roles and functions of CTBT-NDC which provide technical support to the CTBT National Authority in carrying out its roles under CTBT as well as promoting the uses of International Monitoring System (IMS) data and International Data Centre (IDC) products for civil and scientific applications. With regards to the verification of events suspected to be a nuclear weapon test, CTBT-NDC performs waveform data analysis using IMS data and IDC products produced by IDC in order to verify the nature of such event. The waveform data analysis could include seismic, hydro acoustic and infra sound data. In addition, an atmospheric transport modeling on possible release of radionuclide particles originated from the nuclear weapon test location is also performed to forecast the global dispersion of radionuclide smoke. The findings from these analyses will be used as technical advice to the CTBT National Authority. Apart from verification purposes, CTBT-NDC also promotes the benefits of IMS data and IDC products for civil and scientific applications such as earth studies, improvement of disaster management and etc. In summary, CTBT NDC plays a unique role in supporting CTBT National Authority to carried out its functions under CTBT as well as promote the full use of IMS data and IDC products for civil and scientific applications. (author)

[en] Full text: Malaysia has long experiences in using the IAEA tools for energy planning and analysis since year 1980s. However due to renewed interest in nuclear power programme, Malaysia has started again developing our national capabilities in using the IAEA tools through our national project MAL4009 entitled Building Capacities In Nuclear Power Programme Planning. Under this project, Malaysia has successful trained our researchers from various agencies, through participation in national workshops and development of case studies using IAEAs tools particularly Model for Analysis of Energy Demand (MAED), Model of Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE), Wien Automatic System Planning Package (WASP), Model for Financial Analysis of Electric Sector Expansion Plans (FINPLAN), Simplified Approach for Estimating Impacts of Electricity Generation (SIMPACTS) and Indicators for Sustainable Energy Development (ISED). Through this project, Malaysia has developed various case studies to evaluate the competitiveness of nuclear power plant in comparison with the non-nuclear energy technologies such as coal, natural gas, hydro and renewable energy. The IAEA energy planning tools has assisted Malaysia in assessing our energy situation and evaluating alternatives energy strategies that take into account the techno-economic and environmental aspects of various energy option parameters in relation to energy afford ability, energy security, environmental and climate change impacts in the context of sustainable development. In this regards, Malaysia as a newcomer country wishing to embark on nuclear power programme, has shown our interest in conducting a Nuclear Energy System Assessment (NESA) to consider possible future nuclear systems in a holistic and comprehensive manner to determine whether or nor this technology would meet our country sustainable development objectives. (author)