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STRONTIUMN e w s l e t t e r

Sources of Strontium

Strontium is mined all over the world and is

relatively cheap, also all of the properties.

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Strontium Uses

Everything from medical to fireworks, this

element seems to be able to do it all.

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Resources

This page is where you can go to learn more

about this great element.

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Origin of Strontium:•Strontium was discovered in 1790 by Adair Crawford, a Scottish scientist who was studying samples of a new mineral.

This new mineral, strontianite, is now known to be composed of

strontium carbonate, SrCO3. Crawford determined that this new

mineral contained an element that had never been recognized

before, which he identified and called strontium. Pure strontium was not isolated until 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy, an English

chemist.

•Strontium belongs to a group of elements known as the alkali

earth metals. Like other alkali metals, it is chemically active and

will react with both air and water.•Two radioactive isotopes of strontium, Strontium-89 and –90,

are created by atomic bomb explosions and are found in their

radioactive fallout. This radioactive strontium is absorbed by the

body and replaces calcium in the bones. Once they become part

of the bone, they remain there for the lifetime of the organism, giving off radiation.

Strontium: A soft, silvery-yellow,

alkali earth metal. Its

atomic number is 38

and its symbol is Sr.

Named after the village of "Strontian" in Scotland.

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STRONTIUM

Isotopes: Strontium has 28 isotopes whose half-lives are known, with mass numbers 75 to 102. Of these, four are stable: 84Sr, 86Sr, 87Sr and 88Sr. 88Sr is the most abundant in nature at 82.6%.

Sources of Strontium:Strontium is recovered from two strontium minerals.

•Strontianite (strontium carbonate)

•Celestite (strontium sulfate) most common

Strontium minerals have not been mined in the United States since 1959. Consequently, U.S. companies import 100% of the strontium minerals needed for strontium.

Strontium compounds are imported from Mexico (90%) and Germany (9%) and 1% from other nations.

Worldwide resources of strontium minerals have not been completely studied. However, experts estimate that world resources of strontium exceed 1 billion tons.

Estimated cost of pure Strontium is $100 per 100g

STRONTIUM PROPERTIESSTRONTIUM PROPERTIES

Atomic Number 38

Atomic Mass 87.62 g.mol -1

Electronegativity 1.0

Density 2.6 g.cm-3 at 20°C

Melting point 769 °C

Boiling point 1384 °C

Phase at room temperature Solid

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The world's most accurate atomic clock, accurate to one second in 200 million years, has been developed using strontium atoms.

Strontium salts are used in flares and fireworks for a crimson color.

STRONTIUM

Uses:•Strontium is used for producing glass (cathode ray tubes) for color televisions. This compound blocks the X-rays created by the picture tube.

• Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope, Its high-energy radiation can be used to generate an electric current, and for this reason it can be used in space vehicles, remote weather stations and navigation buoys.

•Strontium chloride is used in toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

•Strontium oxide is used to improve the quality of pottery glazes.

•The isotope 90Sr is one of the best long-lived, high-energy beta emitters known. It is used in cancer therapy.

Medical Uses:Effective for:

• Bone pain related to bone cancer. A special prescription form of strontium is given by injection for this use.

• Sensitive teeth. Strontium chloride is added to some toothpaste for this use. Brushing twice daily seems to work best.

Possibly Effective for:• Treating osteoporosis ("bone thinning") in older women. A special form of strontium called

strontium ranelate is used. This form of strontium is not used in dietary supplements. It's not known if the strontium contained in dietary supplements is effective for osteoporosis.

• Treating prostate cancer that isn’t responding to other treatments. A prescription form of strontium is given by injection for this use.

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References: •http://www.mii.org/Minerals/photostrontium.html•http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sr.htm•http://www.chemicool.com/elements/strontium.html•http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1077-STRONTIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=1077&activeIngredientName=STRONTIUM