Question 1:
Ernest Rutherford is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Radioactivity”. Rutherford made many contributions to research into radioactivity and the nature of an atom. Outline his contributions.
Rutherford contributed greatly towards the experimenting, studying and understanding of radioactivity, and the atom. His initial contribution was the discovery and definition of the electron. The Nobel laureate proposed the Rutherford atom model that replaced the Thompson model. This provided an excellent basis for future work into the studying of atoms, as well as, their physical and chemical properties. He was involved in research aimed at splitting the atom leading to the discovery of the proton (L'Annunziata, 2012).
His other main contributions include the discovery and definition of the radioactive half-life concept. This in turn, contributed greatly to the concept of radioactive dating based on the amount of radioactive decay. He also greatly experimented with the penetrating power of radioactivity. Through this, experiments he discovered and defined the alpha and beta rays based on their material penetration ability. This also formed the basis for the discovery of gamma rays that had higher penetrating power as compared to alpha and beta rays. During this experiment, he defined alpha rays as atomic in nature. This led to the conclusion that they were helium ions. This increased the understanding of radioactive waves and their properties (Michael, 2007).
Who did he collaborate with over the years?
Over the year, Ernest Rutherford collaborated with other notable researchers and scientists such as Ernest Marsden, Niels Bohr, Frederic Soddy, Thomas Royds, James Chadwick, J.J. Thompson, Frederick Soddy, and Hans Geiger just to mention a few.
In addition to being a researcher, he was a mentor to many other researchers. Explain his role as a mentor to other researchers and what their contributions were.
Ernest Rutherford mentored a number of other researchers during his time. His role as a mentor in this case was a teacher and co-collaborator in experiments. Some of the most notable researchers he mentored are Niels Bohr, who made great contributions to the understanding of atomic structure and the electron level property of electrons. The second is Hans Geiger, who led to the development of the Geiger-Muller counter.
Question 2:
Weathering has been discussed in class as a possible contributor to mobilization of uranium. Explain why this may be so.
Weathering may directly contribute to the mobilization of uranium because the weathering cycle provides cracks, and faults along which the Uranium can be deposited. Weathering also increases the porosity and permeability of rocks and other formations leading to the concentration of Uranium deposits within the rock of formation.
This may particularly be the case in Uranium Unconformity Deposits and Uranium Roll Front Deposits. Briefly describe these two deposit types.
The Uranium unconformity Deposits form between the unconformity between the sandstone layer and the underlying metamorphic rocks. Deposits can also be found inside the cracks within these two different layers (Dana, 2016). The figure below illustrates the unconformity uranium deposits.
Figure 1: Unconformity Uranium Deposits
Source: https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/resources/uranium/where.html
On the other hand, roll front deposits are mainly as a result of the soluble nature of uranium in oxidizing conditions, it may become dissolved in a solvent and is held at the front of the fluid. In turn, the fluid flows in a specific direction that contributes to its mobilization. The dissolved uranium can then precipitated in reducing conditions. These conditions mainly occur within rocks that are highly permeable and porous (Andrew, 2016).
Figure 1: Roll front Uranium deposits
Source: Source: https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/resources/uranium/where.html
Where does weathering fit into the models?
Weathering fits into the models since it contributed directly to the presence of reducing conditions where uranium can precipitate. This relies directly on the porosity and permeability of rock. As seen from the definitions above, Uranium deposits mainly occur in weathering regions where the rocks porosity and permeability is increased greatly.
What controls the deposition (concentration) of the uranium in these two deposit types. Are there any other types of uranium deposits that might involve weathering as part of their genesis?
The porosity and permeability of rocks controls the deposition of uranium in the two deposit types discussed. Yes, other Uranium deposits involve weathering as part of their genesis, for example, the Breccia uranium deposits (Dana, 2016).
Question 3:
You have been given a consulting job to find an area within the South Mountain Batholith (Pink area on both maps below) to build a hotel-resort. The developer wants to minimize the possibility of radon and radioactivity at the proposed location. As part of your consulting report; as a consultant you have been asked to describe the nature of the uranium occurrences in the South Mountain Batholith.
The second part of the report is to explain the procedures you will undertake in order to find an area with the least potential for radon and radioactivity. Outline these steps and how they will be undertaken.
In order to find an area within the South Mountain Batholith a Geiger counter will find use in the detection of radiation. The steps that should be undertaken include:
The areas with uranium deposits will be completely mapped and divided into sections. These include Windsoe, Truro, Ttamagouche, Antigonish and Sydney
Ground teams with Geiger-Muller counters will be assigned specific sections to inspect
The teams will wear protective suits and will be deployed on the ground
The teams are expected to comb their respective regions measuring and recording the time and radiation measurements
The measurements will be repeated at different times and the average determined
Based on the results obtained the area with the least radiation exposure will be recommended
However, if all areas show great radio activity then the team will recommend the cancellation of the project
The final part of the report is to outline what steps can be taken to insure the safety of the hotel patrons even if some radon and radioactivity is encountered at the proposed site despite your efforts to minimize the risk.
In order to protect and ensure the safety of the hotel patrons even if some radon and radioactivity is encountered at the proposed site despite your efforts to minimize the risk the following steps will be taken:
All patrons will be required to wear photographic film tags that darken as radiation exposure increases. This is an important tool for monitoring personal radiation exposure and ensuring all individuals are protected (BBC, 2016).
Personal monitoring using Geiger-Muller counters will be carried out. This will involve scanning the patron’s entire body from the head to the soles of their feet.
Based on the results obtained from steps 1 and 2 above recommendations can be made. For example, in case high radiation hazmat suits can be recommended, as well as, evacuation.
References:
Andrew, A. (2016) Uranium in a Nutshell. Retrieved 4/15/2016 from: http://geology.about.com/od/mineral_resources/a/uraniumnuts.htm
BBC. (2016). Detecting radiation. Retrieved 4/15/2016 from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/radiation/radioactiverev5.shtml
Dana, S. (2016) Uranium — Where Is It Found. Retrieved 4/15/2016 from: https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/resources/uranium/where.html
L'Annunziata, M. F. (2012). Handbook of radioactivity analysis. Oxford: Academic.
Michael, F. (2007). Radioactivity: Introduction and History. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Ryan, R. J., & O’Beirne-Ryan, A. M. (2009). Uranium occurrences in the Horton Group of the Windsor area, Nova Scotia and the environmental implications for the Maritimes Basin. Retrieved 4/15/2016 from: https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/ag/article/view/12419/13440
