Geography Assignment
Geography Assignment
Question one
Ernest Rutherford made remarkable contributions towards radioactivity and the nature of the atom. He was the first man on earth to discover that atoms have a small nucleus that is charged and its surrounded by space which is circled by very tiny electrons. This was what became to be known as the planetary model or Rutherford model of the atom. Rutherford collaborated with Fredrick Soddy on research on transmutation of elements. The two researched in X-ray effects based on conductivity of gasses ("Ernest Rutherford: Father of nuclear science," 2014). This is where they came up with the radioactivity disintegration theory which identifies radioactive phenomena as an atom and not a molecule. Rutherford was also a mentor. He mentored and directed Ernest Marsden and Hans Geiger when they are carrying out the Geiger-Marsden experiment in 1909. The experiment helped demonstrate the nuclear nature of atoms. Additionally, he mentored Neil’s Bohr and H.G Moseley where they used cathode rays to blast atoms of elements. The bombarding helped to show that inner structures of elements are correspondent to a group of lines that the define the character of the element. Adoption of nuclear structure invented by Rutherford by Neil’s, to quantum theory by Max Planck’s, enabled him to come up with structure atomic theory ("Ernest Rutherford - Important Scientists - The Physics of the Universe", 2016).
Question two
The reason why weathering has been termed as a contributor to uranium mobilization is that there are areas that did not have uranium deposits but due to weathering, uranium deposits have been identified in such locations. For instance, the Tazin rocks have vein deposits of Uranium, which was due to uranium mobilization. Weathering transferred uranium along fractures leading to the formation of supergene deposits (Dahlkamp, 1993). Unconformity deposits are those deposits found close to unconformities between quartz-rich sandstones and metamorphic basement deformed rocks. This type of deposit arises from geological transformations which occur close to major Proterozoic unconformities. Underneath the unconformity, rocks known as the metasedimentary that host the mineralization are usually brecciated and faulted. Unconformity deposits make up a third of the globe’s resources of uranium. Due to weathering, the deposits of uranium are deposited in such basins. The following image shows unconformity deposits
The uranium roll front deposits are those deposits of uranium that are hosted with the conglomerates or sandstones that are porous and permeable. This is the reason why this type of deposit is classified under sandstone deposit. They are arcuate masses of mineralization which cut across sandstone beddings. The deposits are also due to weathering mainly as a result of the dissolution of uranium in nearby strata’s and then transported as a solution to the host point. Calcretes or surficial deposits are also formed through weathering. As a result of weathering, surficial deposits are made in one location in soils or sediments (Dahlkamp, 2009). These deposits are found in soils, peat bogs, or karst caverns. The image below shows how rock front deposits are formed.
Question three
The weathered surfaces on the South Mountain Batholith have contributed towards uranium deposits in the region as well as the radon ground water in the surrounding regions. The areas that also surround Nova Scotia are highly concentrated with Uranium and have been associated with intensive rock types due to South Mountain Batholith in the southwestern parts of Nova Scotia (Granger & Raup, 1969). The deposits have been as a result of the mobilization of uranium by water through groundwater flows and interaction with water contained in rocks. To determine the area that has the least potential for radon and radioactivity approaches used in finding Uranium deposits have to be used. The steps outlined below will be applied
Attaining basic information from Provincial geological survey and get the regions information while matching the geology rock type to the location in the geological map. Here, patterns of rocks that might contain uranium will be established that exist in the South Mountain Batholith. For example, the map below shows exploration licenses held in Nova Scotia.
Get more information on the regions large scale to examine if there are uranium prone areas left undetected.
Examine the regions scale maps of radioactivity.
Pinpoint the potential areas that have uranium deposits.
Work on the claims through mapping the geological information gathered by measuring intensity of radiation using scintillometer. Plots on areas that have radon’s and high radioactivity will be marked and avoided during hotel construction.
The safety steps taken in case of exposure of the hotel patrons to radiation will be ensuring they have paid leaves to shorten their exposure to radon’s and radioactivity, ensuring they get minimal surface contamination, use of breathing protectors to prevent further inhalation of radioactive materials and finally, ensuring that food is screened to avoid ingestion of contaminated water and food.
References
Dahlkamp, F. (1993). Uranium ore deposits. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Dahlkamp, F. (2009). Uranium deposits of the world. Berlin: Springer.
Ernest Rutherford: father of nuclear science. (2014). TNZ Media. Retrieved 15 April 2016, from http://media.newzealand.com/en/story-ideas/ernest-rutherford-father-of-nuclear-science/
Ernest Rutherford - Important Scientists - The Physics of the Universe. (2016). Physicsoftheuniverse.com.
Granger, H., & Raup, R. (1969). Geology of uranium deposits in the Dripping Spring Quartzite, Gila County, Arizona. Washington: U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
