Uranium
Uranium is one of the minerals listed on the periodic table and found all over the world. Since its discovery, it has been used for many purposes. Today it is generally used in the military, medicine, and for electrical power. In its natural state, uranium poses little threat to the environment. After uranium is taken from the ground and enriched, the radiation from the mineral can cause problems for human health and the environment. While it is invisible, the radiation can last in the body and the environment for a long time. Uranium is the heaviest metal in nature. This silvery metal carries the atomic number 92. It is "radioactive," which means it breaks apart or decays at the atomic level. When uranium decays, bursts of energy called atomic radiation is given off. That break down of atoms changes uranium into other radioactive elements. Called radioactive decay, the process results in the emission of alpha or beta particles from the nucleus. They usually are given off with gamma radiation, which is like x-rays. This means that they transform into other elements by emitting particles. Most of the by-products are radioactive solids but one, radon is a radioactive gas. The radiation
The mineral is refined and then used as the fuel to generate power. It is used to power all of the submarines in the U.S. Navy. It is also used to light cities. In the 1960's nuclear fission was used to produce electricity in machines called nuclear reactors. Nuclear reactors are scattered worldwide with one in Albuquerque at Sandia National Laboratories. Uranium's' use in medicine is also extensive. A form of uranium is used for radiation treatment for treating cancer. A beam of radiation is applied directly to a part or section of the body to kill cancer cells. Radioactive pellets called implants are put directly into patients on or near tumors. Radiation is also used to treat some types of thyroid problems. Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project Fact Sheet, (1995) U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque, NM. Edwards, Gordan, Dr., Uranium, A discussion Guide Questions and Answers, (1996) the National Film Board of Canada. 1 -18. Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Uranium, Its Uses and Hazards, (1996) Takoma Park, Maryland, Major U.S. Uranium Reserve Areas and Status of Mills and Plants, (1998) U.S. Department of Energy Grand Junction Projects Office, Grand Junction, CO.
Some common words found in the essay are:
National Laboratories, Definition Uranium, Chernobyl Ukraine, Range Uranium's', Uranium Uranium, Introduction Uranium, Carlsbad Mexico, Conclusion Uranium, Solutions Uranium, Project UMTRA, nuclear reactors, mill tailings, ground water, department energy, remedial action project, remedial action, tailings remedial, clean uranium, uranium mill, health environment, south africa, human health environment, tailings remedial action, uranium mill tailings, mill tailings remedial,
Approximate Word count = 1343
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
