PROBLEMS OF THE SEMIPALATINSK NUCLEAR TEST SITE

Abstract

The Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) was the primary testing venue for the Soviet Union's nuclear weapons. It is located on the steppe in northeast Kazakhstan (previously the Kazakh SSR), south of the valley of the Irtysh River. The scientific buildings for the test site were located around 150 km of west of the town of Semipalatinsk (later renamed Semey), near the border of East Kazakhstan Region and Pavlodar Region with most of the nuclear tests taking place at various sites further to the west and south, some as far as into Karagandy Region. The site is also well known by its postcode Semipalatinsk-21 (it was common practice for secret Soviet installations to refer to only by nondescript postcode), the Semipalatinsk Polygon, and latter the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

The Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) was the primary testing venue for the Soviet Union's nuclear weapons. It is located on the steppe in northeast Kazakhstan (previously the Kazakh SSR), south of the valley of the Irtysh River. The scientific buildings for the test site were located around 150 km of west of the town of Semipalatinsk (later renamed Semey), near the border of East Kazakhstan Region and Pavlodar Region with most of the nuclear tests taking place at various sites further to the west and south, some as far as into Karagandy Region.

The site is also well known by its postcode Semipalatinsk-21 (it was common practice for secret Soviet installations to refer to only by nondescript postcode), the Semipalatinsk Polygon, and latter the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan.

Semipalatinsk nuclear test site is the first and one of the largest Soviet nuclear test sites, also known as "SIYAP - Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground" [1].

The testing ground is located in Kazakhstan on the border of the Semipalatinsk (now East Kazakhstan), Pavlodar and Karaganda regions, in 130 km north-west of Semipalatinsk, on the left bank of the Irtysh River.

Semipalatinsk nuclear test site was established by the Council of Ministers of the USSR on 21st of August, 1 947. The location was chosen in the area of the Irtysh River, in 170 km west of Semipalatinsk. The testing was located in three areas: Semipalatinsk, Pavlodar and Karaganda [2].

According to the resolution of the CPSU Central Committee and USSR Council of Ministers there was established Mountain seismic station (object 905), which in 1948 was renamed into Training Ground of the Ministry of the USSR Armed Forces, and then into the State Central Scientific Research Testing Range N2 (GOSTSNIIP 2). The first elements of the testing ground (military unit 52605) began to redeploy to the build-up area on 1st of June, 1948. Preparation works for the tests at the site were completed in July, 1949 [3].

In 1949, nuclear weapon was tested on the site for the first time. The country's leadership has sought at all costs to expedite testing of the first atomic bomb; scientists have chosen to copy the American nuclear device.

By 1946, nuclear scientist Hariton had prepared the tactical-technical requirements for the first Soviet atomic bomb. To accomplish this task, by the Government's decision, under the name KB-1 1, in 1946 there was formed country's first research center for developing and creating an atomic weapon.

On 29th of August, 1949, the first Soviet atomic bomb was exploded at the nuclear test site near Semipalatinsk. On 12th of August, 1953, thermonuclear weapon was tested, and on 22nd of November, 1955, the world learned about the Soviet super-power hydrogen bomb, which was created by Academician Sakharov.

Terrestrial explosions were carried out until 1962. Since 1963, nuclear tests were moved underground to the sites Balapan and Degelen. The last explosion at test site was produced on 19th of October, 1989. By Kazakh SSR Nazarbayev's presidential decree, the Semipalatinsk test site was referred to as the former, on 29th of August, 1991. In 1995 there was destroyed last nuclear device. In April 1996, National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan and the Agency for Nuclear Safety under the Ministry of Defense signed an agreement under which the Kazakh and U.S. experts started eliminating the tunnels and adits, where the tests were carried out. The project was completed on 29th of July, 2000, as the last tunnel of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site was blown up.

Thereby, for Kazakhstan the Semipalatinsk region was like Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl yearly for 40 years (from 1949 to 1989). The main impact of nuclear power of 470 explosions was absorbed by the nature of the test site (including 26 terrestrial, 90 aerial and 354 underground). People of the region fully experienced the radioactive fallout, fear and disease [3].

116 explosions were produced in the atmosphere and the earth's surface between 1949 and 1963. Altogether radioactive clouds of 55 air and terrestrial explosions, gas fraction of 69 underground explosions went beyond boundaries of the test site [3].

It was the terrestrial and aerial bombings between 1949 and 1963 that brought main radioactive contamination to the test site and its adjacent areas. After the first explosion, produced in windy and rainy weather, the cloud went beyond the test site in north-east direction, forming a 300 kilometers- long radioactive trail.

During the nuclear tests, radiological systematic studies were not conducted. All information of this kind was classified. Lack of objective information, supported by regular tangible impressions of the explosions and authorities' attempts to survey and treat the residents of mostly affected villages, formed a tense situation.

Only after the cessation of testing in 1989, there began systematic large-scale radio ecological research.

The legacy of Kazakhstan left a lot of problems associated with the liquidation of the consequences of this site. On the eve of the new millennium, humanity, summing up the past and looking to the future, recognizing that achievements of civilization can not fail to recognize the global environmental problems and plan activities for their solutions and move towards sustainable development.

Nuclear weapons tests, conducted over 40 years at the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing ground, have caused irreparable damage to human health and the environment, caused an increase in overall morbidity and mortality. The whole territory of the Semipalatinsk test site and the surrounding areas of Pav lodar, East Kazakhstan and Karaganda regions are considered as an ecological disaster zone.

The distant consequences of nuclear tests become increasingly detrimental passing down from generation to generation. And even today, experts strongly recommend everyone who reaches the territory of the Semipalatinsk test facility, which has an area of 1 8.3 thousand square km, be accompanied by dosimetrician for security reason. As explained by Sergey Lukashenko, director of the Institute of Radiation Safety within the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan: "The test site cannot be represented as a single territory contaminated nuclear materials. Local areas of small size are also dangerous; they are all identified, described and numbered" [4].

However, the test ground has for long been the area where the population was moving to seeking ferrous and nonferrous metal scrap. After the cessation of nuclear explosions, territory was literally staffed with metal structures. There have been more than a hundred nuclear explosions in the atmosphere and the earth's surface.

Now the test ground boundaries are indicated by conventional signs, the area is patrolled in accordance with the branch program "Radiation Safety". However, the adverse events are evidenced by signs of tampering. Within the site there is a kilometer-deep ditch, where uproot cables are found. Traces of looted concrete buildings are everywhere. In 6 years there were removed at least half a million tons of metal with radioactive waste. People, unaware of danger, literally died for the metal. Those who came into the gallery were called "stalkers".

Especially expressed unauthorized thefts happened in the mid-90 and were associated with difficult economic situation. Population, after losing their jobs, tried to earn a living this way. To extract the scrap metal people even penetrated into the danger zone - an array of galleries Degelen.

The problem of the radiation situation at the test site is directly related to environmental safety of the republic. Scientists and experts of NNC of Republic of Kazakhstan are now working on this direction. They are realizing the state branch safety program of the former Semipalatinsk test site.

Among the priorities of the NNC is the elimination of nuclear testing's consequences. For radiological research of area, facilities, human settlements, vegetation, and animals there was formed the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology. At one time, there took place the elimination of nuclear devices, closing the tunnels of Degelen area, and wells of Balapan site.

Since the 90-ies scientists of Kazakhstan, and several international organizations, including the IAEA, study the site and the surrounding area.

Test site problems are multi-vector. Perhaps the most sensitive of them is the socio-economical; which includes infrastructure development of the city Kurchatov, rural settlements, providing the necessary resources such as water and heat, reconstruction of highways, the provision of all necessary health clinics, schools, and development of recreation areas for the population.

Kurchatov is still a city with high "scientist per capita" ratio. Maintaining the scientific base and human capacities allowed forming a park of nuclear technology and building material installation of thermonuclear reactor for 2 1 century energy generation.

With regard to rural adjacent areas, there is need to invest in the development of livestock and processing sectors, also involvement of the workforce in the manufacturing sector.

The Government of the republic pays constant attention to all these problems. Various laws and regulations are adopted, as well as presidential decrees that regulate various activities in the territory of the former test ground. And the NNC, in particular, implements the public sector programs, one of which is a security program of the former Semipalatinsk test site. The purpose of this program is territory's radiation and nuclear safety, and organizing economic activity.

It should also be noted that the scientists had placed a wide range of issues, such as: the elimination of nuclear-testing infrastructure, assessing the extent and degree of contamination of the environment, development and implementation of methods to prevent the influence of impact tests on public health, environmental safety, and many others. It should be noted that international practice has no experience in the restoration of such vast territories, after years of nuclear testing.

Despite the fact that the area is silent for many years now, the consequences of 40 years of nuclear testing will be faced by future generations.

The need to solve the problems of test site is recognized by the international community. At the 52th and 53th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly there was adopted a resolution, according to which the problems of rehabilitation of the Semipalatinsk region was given international status.

29th of August, 2009. On this day, 60 years ago, the first Soviet atomic bomb was tested at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. Semipalatinsk became the main test site for Soviet nuclear weapons, which over the next forty years conducted more than 450 nuclear explosions. Despite the fact that the Semipalatinsk test site was closed in 1991, the tests' impacts continue to negatively affect the development of the region and its inhabitants.

"Negative effects include environmental degradation, increasing the number of different diseases, the deterioration of living standards, economic depression and psychological difficulties as a result of which the population in the Semipalatinsk region continues to suffer and bear the burden of responsibility for nuclear testing", - said Haoliang Xu, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.

The government of Kazakhstan has implemented, under state programs, numerous plans of solving the problems of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, including the one in 2005-2007. As for the international community, after the Tokyo conference in 1999, they also provided substantial assistance, but the region still needs help.

It is estimated that more than 1.3 million people have experienced the effects of testing, many of them still suffer today. Closure of the test ground in 1991 and the subsequent economic depression undermined the local economy [4]·

Along with rising unemployment, lower wages and increase debt, inflation and insecurity in the region, the vulnerability of the population has increased dramatically. As a result of economic restructuring and reform of social services, the funding of many government agencies, involved in social security and public services, were discontinued. Poor quality of education and health services, the collapse of infrastructure and reduction of budgets for maintenance, led to a sharp decline in living standards in the region.

To help the country meet these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with UNICEF, UNV and the UN Population Fund, with financial support from the Government of Japan, in 2008 began a three-year project "Enhancing human security in the region of the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site".

Objectives of the project met the priorities identified in the government program for 2009-201 1. Restoration of the region and the development of social infrastructure are the key issues to be addressed to help people overcome problems and will contribute to improving the quality of life in the region.

The project, covering the areas of health, social services, economic development and social infrastructure has three main goals: ensuring access to quality basic health and social services for vulnerable populations, building capacity for entrepreneurship, and create conditions for economic development and employment, also mobilizing local communities and support NGOs in providing services to communities.

Project's arrangements encompass the Semipalatinsk and Kurchatov cities, former Abralinsky, former Zhanasemeysky, Abay and Beskaragai areas of East Kazakhstan region; Maisky Lebyazhka and Bayanaul districts of Pavlodar Areas; and former Egendybulak district of Karaganda region.

We would also like to note that General Assembly adopted six resolutions between 1997 and 2009 years urging international community to assist Government and people of Kazakhstan in their efforts to overcome the problems with Semipalatinsk nuclear polygon.

In 2009 UNGA adopted "International cooperation and coordination for rehabilitation population, ecology and economic development Semipalatinsk region in Kazakhstan" resolution, initiated by Kazakhstan.

It is already sixth UN resolution regarding Semipalatinsk region. Document has a note about national policy's important role in developing and rehabilitation of region, and successful implementation of Kazakhstan state program: "Complex solution of former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site problems for 2005-2007" [5].

Adopted document urges international community assist Kazakhstan in establishing special projects of overcoming nuclear tests' consequences in Semipalatinsk region, economical growth and sustainable region development.

Results of implementing the resolution will be considered in 2012, in United Nations General Assembly agenda's "Sustainability" paragraph. It testifies lowering relevance for humanitarian and priority significance of modern technologies. It may be concluded that Kazakhstan needs international assistance in rehabilitation of contaminated territories of nuclear test site Semipalatinsk nuclear polygon. The President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev noted on that issue: "There are serious environmental problems in Central Asia. First one is heritage of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, where almost five hundred atomic tests were produced previously. By my decree I have closed the test site two decades ago, but we still need international assistance in rehabilitation of the contaminated territories" [5].

From mentioned above, we can conclude that problems of Semipalatinsk region cannot be referred to local problems of our republic only. Kazakhstan was the first to show goodwill and close one of the main forge of nuclear weapons. This contributed to the easing of an arms race. This model should be followed by other countries in the future.

The success of the decision on liquidation of consequences of ecological catastrophe on example of Semipalatinsk test site, will testify about how the international community to address global humanitarian challenges in the beginning of the third millennium.

References

Bibliography:

[1] Semipalatinsk nuclear test site - the legacy of the Cold War, preprint (2005). Available at http://www.poligon.kz/.

[2] Creation of the Soviet atomic bomb, preprint (2005). Available at http:www.semipalatin.poligon.kz.

[3] Nuclear legacy of Semipalatinsk, preprint (2007). Available at http://nuclearno.ru/text.asp712134.

[4] Goncharov G.A., Ryabev L.D. Establish the first Soviet atomic bomb. Moscow, 1991.

[5] UN adopted a resolution on the Semipalatinsk region, preprint (2009). Available at http://www.automan.kz/96931oon-prinjal-rezoljuciju-po-semipalatinskomu.html.