Introduction
The following discussion entails three questions, which are all based on radioactivity with respect to geology. The three questions are further subdivided into three subtopics: Biography of Ernest Rutherford, weathering, and practical consultation.
One of the most recognized personalities in the world of discovery is Ernest Rutherford. This is due to his efforts in chemistry-related research which led to a number of discoveries. Ernest carried out his education mainly in New Zealand, where he was born and brought up. At first, Rutherford did research into the magnetic properties of iron when exposed to high-frequency oscillations. This made him one of the pioneers of high-frequency Alternating Current experimentation at the time. This was followed by his invention that was able to detect electromagnetic waves and analyze their behavior. This led him into the atom and molecular research, where he majored on radioactivity and the structure of the atom, which was quite a debate at the time ("Ernest Rutherford | Chemical Heritage Foundation").
Rutherford made a couple of contributions to the research of radioactivity. At first, he discovered alpha and beta rays, which laid a foundation for the development of the laws of radioactivity. Furthermore, he identified that alpha particles consisted of helium nuclei. Furthermore, Rutherford postulated the general structure of the nucleus of an atom, For this reason; Rutherford is referred to as the “Father of Radioactivity” ("Ernest Rutherford - Biographical").. Rutherford has mainly been identified with three people, who helped or guided him in his experiments. While at Cambridge, he worked under J.J Thompson, with whom they analyzed electromagnetic waves. When he left for Montreal to take up a position at the McGill University, he collaborated with R.B. Owens, where he studied the "formation" of thorium and discovered a new noble gas, an isotope of radon, which was later to be named as Thoron.
Ernest Rutherford mentored a couple of researchers, one of whom was Frederick Soddy in creating the disintegration theory of radioactivity. Besides, he also mentored Otto Hahn, who discovered atomic fission.
Weathering and Uranium deposits
Uranium is mainly formed through accumulated deposits, which eventually combine and lead to its formation. This mainly takes place in low-lying areas or basins, where the deposits accumulate easily. For the deposits to be available, the nearby rocks have to be disintegrated through weathering ("Uranium Deposits"). Therefore, weathering is an important factor in the mobilization of uranium. The rocks are weathered through various ways; both mechanically and chemically. Uranium exists in a number of deposit forms, where each is determined by the mode of the formation with respect to deposition. There are three major forms of deposits; unconformity-type deposits, paleo-placer deposits and roll front deposits.
Unconformity deposits are caused by changes in the geological; structure close to major Proterozoic unconformities. Sedimentary rocks below the unconformity usually contain faults, while the younger overlying sandstones are usually undeformed ("Geology Of Uranium Deposits - World Nuclear Association"). These deposits have mainly been located in Canada and also some parts of India. On the other hand, roll-type deposits, also known as sandstone-type deposits are abundant in sedimentary rocks. It is easier and cheaper to mine compared to the rest of the deposits since the deposits are located at or near the surface of the earth. Roll type deposits are formed when oxidized water from underground flows into aquifers. Here, it is reduced to precipitate uraninite ("Geology Of Uranium Deposits - World Nuclear Association").
Other uranium deposits that involve weathering as part of their formation process include intrusive deposits, granite-related deposits as well as collapse breccias pipe deposits.
Radioactive consultation
The nature of uranium in South Mountain Batholith has the structure of granite-related deposits. Late Devonian peraluminous granitic is widely abundant around the mountain. On the lower parts of South Mount Batholith, the formation of Halifax and Goldenville has taken root. Halifax is noted to have formed between layers of Goldenville. Furthermore, there also exists younger undivided carboniferous rocks near the fault system. There is also the presence of white rock. However, this rock is of little significance in abundance with respect to the rest. There are mainly three types of deposits around South Mountain Batholith area: Granite-vein type, which forms the largest deposit, Pegmatite granite as well as scatters of roll front type at around 640 west of the mountain
In order to build the hotel resort in a safe environment, the construction has to take place within the area with the lowest uranium concentration or radioactivity. This is easy to detect since the radiation emitted is mainly an 80keV X-ray. A survey is to be taken around the area of South Mount Batholith using several MicroR Meters with Sodium Iodide Detectors ("Natural Ways To Protect Against Radiation"). The area will be divided into 20 sub-sections, where each will be mapped based on the amount of radiation detected. The subsection with the least radioactivity will then be chosen as the ideal location for the hotel. Since radioactivity cannot be completely avoided in this area, the hotel should introduce chlorophyll rich foods as part of the menu or at least at every meal served. Furthermore, fresh drinking water should be made plenty around the hotel. This introduces antioxidants into the body, which prevent toxins and cancerous growths ("Natural Ways To Protect Against Radiation").
Works Cited
"Ernest Rutherford - Biographical". Nobelprize.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
"Ernest Rutherford | Chemical Heritage Foundation". Chemheritage.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 14
"Geology Of Uranium Deposits – Report by World Nuclear Association". World-nuclear.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
"Natural Ways To Protect Against Radiation". The Huffington Post. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
"Uranium Deposits". Navajo Nation. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.
