Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
16
Indigenous
Peoples
Issues
Respecting The
Differences
URANIUM
As the naturally occurring element with the highest atomic number, uranium is
70% more dense than lead. This silver gray metal is weakly radio-active. Three
isotopes occur: U-234, U-235 and U-238, of which U-238 is the most prevalent
accounting for more than 99% of uranium. As for all radioactive metals, the
metallic nature is of no concern for the end user - uranium is used as nuclear fuel
to produce energy, and 20 kg of uranium produces as much energy as 400,000 kg
of coal. U-235, the fissile isotope used in nuclear reactions, must be enriched prior
to use. Uranium is not particularly rare, being more abundant than tin, mercury or
silver. Several types of uranium ore occur; the predominant uranium mineral is
uraninite. Uranium is chemically reactive and oxidizes readily. It may accumulate
in the bones; its toxicity is of more concern than its radioactivity. Depleted uranium,
U-238, is used for armaments and other applications requiring a highly dense material.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search