Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 20: Problem 91

In the 1950 s and 1960 s, several nations conducted tests of nuclear warheads in the atmosphere. It was customary, following each test, to monitor the concentration of strontium- 90 (a radioactive isotope of strontium) in milk. Why would strontium- 90 tend to accumulate in milk?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Strontium-90 accumulates in milk due to its chemical similarities with calcium. It enters the food chain as fallout from nuclear tests settles on plants, which are consumed by animals like cows. In the animal's body, strontium-90 behaves like calcium and is incorporated into bones and milk. The biological processes that mobilize calcium in milk production also mobilize strontium-90, leading to its presence in milk and illustrating the potential environmental and health impacts of nuclear tests due to bioaccumulation and biomagnification of radioactive isotopes.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to Strontium-90 and its Properties

Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope produced in nuclear reactions. It has a chemical similarity to calcium in terms of reactivity and behavior when it comes to bonding due to their similar sizes and charge. This similarity allows strontium-90 to substitute calcium in certain situations and be treated by organisms as if it was calcium. This property is a key factor for its bioaccumulation.
02

Understanding the Process of Biological Magnification

Biological magnification is a process that occurs in ecosystems when certain substances, such as heavy metals or fat-soluble pesticides, become more concentrated in organisms as you move up the food chain. In the context of this exercise, we need to understand that strontium-90 can enter the food chain and progressively accumulate in organisms at each level, a situation that's particularly concerning when it reaches levels that have direct impacts on human health, such as milk-producing animals.
03

Strontium-90 in the Food Chain

Strontium-90 can be released into the atmosphere by nuclear tests. It then settles onto the surface of the earth and on plants in the form of fallout. When these plants are consumed by animals like cows, strontium-90 may be absorbed into the animal's tissues due to its similar behavior with calcium, which is an essential nutrient for animals and is actively taken up.
04

Strontium-90 in the Milk

Once strontium-90 is in the cow's body, due to its resemblance to calcium, it can be incorporated into the cow's bones and milk. This is because cows mobilize calcium from their bones into their milk to provide essential nutrients for the growing calf. However, strontium-90 can be mobilized in the same way, leading to its presence in milk.
05

Conclusion

So, the reason strontium-90 tends to accumulate in milk is due to its chemical similarities with calcium. It enters the food chain through fallout settling on plants, is absorbed by animals that eat these plants, and is ultimately transmitted to milk due to the same biological processes that mobilize calcium. This process illustrates the potential environmental and health impacts of nuclear tests due to the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of radioactive isotopes.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Argon gas is inert, so it poses no serious health risks. However, if significant amounts of radon are inhaled into the lungs, lung cancer is a possible result. Explain the health risk differences between argon gas and radon gas.

Write equations describing the reactions of Ga with each of the following: \(\mathrm{F}_{2}, \mathrm{O}_{2}, \mathrm{S},\) and \(\mathrm{HCl} .\)

Phosphate buffers are important in regulating the pH of intracellular fluids. If the concentration ratio of $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{PO}_{4}^{-} / \mathrm{HPO}_{4}^{2-}\( in a sample of intracellular fluid is \)1.1 : 1,$ what is the pH of this sample of intracullular fluid? $$ \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{PO}_{4}^{-}(a q) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{HPO}_{4}^{2-}(a q)+\mathrm{H}^{+}(a q) \quad K_{\mathrm{a}}=6.2 \times 10^{-8} $$

Ozone is desirable in the upper atmosphere but undesirable in the lower atmosphere. A dictionary states that ozone has the scent of a spring thunderstorm. How can these seemingly conflicting statements be reconciled in terms of the chemical properties of ozone?

Hydrazine is somewhat toxic. Use the following half-reactions to explain why household bleach (highly alkaline solutions of sodium hypochlorite) should not be mixed with household ammonia or glass cleansers that contain ammonia. $$ \mathrm{ClO}^{-}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{OH}^{-}+\mathrm{Cl}^{-} \quad \mathscr{E}^{\circ}=0.90 \mathrm{V} $$ $$ \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}+2 \mathrm{e}^{-} \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{NH}_{3}+2 \mathrm{OH}^{-} \quad \mathscr{E}^{\circ}=-0.10 \mathrm{V} $$
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free