Modeling and strategy approaches for assessing radionuclide contamination from underground testing of nuclear weapons in Nevada, USA

Abstract: This chapter outlines the hydrogeological setting of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and the expected pathways of groundwater flow and radionuclide transport. It describes the evolving strategy developed cooperatively between the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office (NNSA/NSO) and the Nevada Division of Environment Protection (NDEP) to assess groundwater contamination from underground testing of nuclear weapons and to protect the health and safety of the public. The modeling challenges and progress in the Underground Test Area Project (UGTA) are also discussed.