Mass spectrometry as a potential tool to monitor depleted uranium as a marker in atmospheric contamination and environmental samples

With rapid advances in nuclear applications and technology, an equal spread in the misuse of radiological material across the globe is inevitable. The role of nuclear forensics becomes necessary in today's world for the control of fissile materials, IAEA safeguards, arms control, nuclear archaeology, national security and increase in access to international databases. In the case of any incidents, conclusions drawn from the nuclear forensic analyses, coupled with law enforcement and intelligence information, may support attribution-the identification of individuals or groups responsible for the acts. Currently, well documented, measurement-traceable, post-nuclear detonation materials do not exist to support post-detonation nuclear forensic sample analysis. Post-detonation reference materials would allow for analytical method development, measurement performance test, and serve as quality control materials to achieve metrological traceability and measurement accuracy