Remote Sensing Techniques for Detecting Proxies of Radiation Anomalies at Nuclear Facilities

This paper provides a novel approach for detecting radiation leaks at nuclear facilities with satellite instrumentation through three proxy-based identification techniques; Outgoing longwave radiation, thermal infrared and visual imagery. Several data sources and processing techniques were utilised to identify anomalous thermal behaviour indicative of excessive radioisotope release and nuclear activity, alongside considerations into the structural integrity of indispensable buildings, to draw statistically informed conclusions on the overall state of nuclear power plants and the leak of radioactive material. Verification of the proposed methodology was established for Fukushima Daiichi and Chernobyl nuclear power plants case studies with a predominant focus on the monitoring of evolving situations in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The results demonstrate the importance of the continual monitoring of nuclear facilities and highlight the current limitations of available technology. Consequently applications of the proposed methodology to future applications is considered.