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STRONTIUM
N e w s l e t t e r
Sources of Strontium
Strontium is mined all over the world and is
relatively cheap, also all of the properties.
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Strontium Uses
Everything from medical to fireworks, this
element seems to be able to do it all.
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Resources
This page is where you can go to learn more
about this great element.
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Origin of Strontium:
•Strontium was discovered in 1790 by Adair Crawford, a
Scottish scientist who was studying samples of a new mineral.
This new mineral, strontianite, is now known to be composed of
strontium carbonate, SrCO3. Crawford determined that this new
mineral contained an element that had never been recognized
before, which he identified and called strontium. Pure strontium
was not isolated until 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy, an English
chemist.
•Strontium belongs to a group of elements known as the alkali
earth metals. Like other alkali metals, it is chemically active and
will react with both air and water.
•Two radioactive isotopes of strontium, Strontium-89 and –90,
are created by atomic bomb explosions and are found in their
radioactive fallout. This radioactive strontium is absorbed by the
body and replaces calcium in the bones. Once they become part
of the bone, they remain there for the lifetime of the organism,
giving off radiation.
Strontium:
A soft, silvery-yellow,
alkali earth metal. Its
atomic number is 38
and its symbol is Sr.
Named after the village
of "Strontian" in
Scotland.

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STRONTIUM
Isotopes:
Strontium has 28 isotopes
whose half-lives are known,
with mass numbers 75 to
102. Of these, four are
stable: 84Sr, 86Sr, 87Sr and
88Sr. 88Sr is the most
abundant in nature at
82.6%.
Sources of Strontium:
Strontium is recovered from two strontium minerals.
•Strontianite (strontium carbonate)
•Celestite (strontium sulfate) most common
Strontium minerals have not been mined in the United
States since 1959. Consequently, U.S. companies import
100% of the strontium minerals needed for strontium.
Strontium compounds are imported from Mexico (90%)
and Germany (9%) and 1% from
other nations.
Worldwide resources of strontium
minerals have not been completely
studied. However, experts estimate
that world resources of strontium
exceed 1 billion tons.
Estimated cost of pure Strontium is
$100 per 100g
STRONTIUM PROPERTIESSTRONTIUM PROPERTIES
Atomic Number 38
Atomic Mass 87.62 g.mol -1
Electronegativity 1.0
Density 2.6 g.cm-3
at 20°C
Melting point 769 °C
Boiling point 1384 °C
Phase at room temperature Solid

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The world's most accurate atomic clock,
accurate to one second in 200 million years,
has been developed using strontium atoms.
Strontium salts are
used in flares and
fireworks for a
crimson color.
STRONTIUM
Uses:
•Strontium is used for producing glass
(cathode ray tubes) for color televisions. This
compound blocks the X-rays created by the
picture tube.
• Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope, Its
high-energy radiation can be used to
generate an electric current, and for this
reason it can be used in space vehicles,
remote weather stations and navigation
buoys.
•Strontium chloride is used in toothpaste for
sensitive teeth.
•Strontium oxide is used to improve the
quality of pottery glazes.
•The isotope 90Sr is one of the best long-
lived, high-energy beta emitters known. It is
used in cancer therapy.
Medical Uses:
Effective for:
• Bone pain related to bone cancer. A special prescription form of strontium is given by injection
for this use.
• Sensitive teeth. Strontium chloride is added to some toothpaste for this use. Brushing twice
daily seems to work best.
Possibly Effective for:
• Treating osteoporosis ("bone thinning") in older women. A special form of strontium called
strontium ranelate is used. This form of strontium is not used in dietary supplements. It's not
known if the strontium contained in dietary supplements is effective for osteoporosis.
• Treating prostate cancer that isn’t responding to other treatments. A prescription form of
strontium is given by injection for this use.

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References:
•http://www.mii.org/Minerals/photostrontium.html
•http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/sr.htm
•http://www.chemicool.com/elements/strontium.html
•http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1077-STRONTIUM.aspx?
activeIngredientId=1077&activeIngredientName=STRONTIUM