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Strontium was discovered in 1790 and was isolated in 1808. Strontium
is a soft, shiny metal. Like calcium and the other metals
on the left-hand side of the periodic table, strontium is an active metal. It
has a shiny, silver-gray appearance when it is first cut, but soon tarnishes with
a duller, slightly yellow colour. The pure metal cannot be found in nature, but
an abundant supply of compounds have been naturally formed by reactions between
strontium, atmospheric gases and water. Its compounds comprise of 0.025% of the
earth's crust, putting it in the same category as carbon and
sulfur.
Strontium metal is produced from one of its two most common ores, celestite
SrSO4, and strontianite SrCO3. The ore is treated
with hydrochloric acid to yield strontium chloride. It is then electrolyzed
in a molten state to produce strontium metal and chlorine gas.
Strontium has no important commercial uses, though the red colour of its flame
is utilized in pyrotechnic devices. Strontium-89 and -90 are fallout products
of atomic bomb explosions. Strontium-90 is especially deadly because it is a
strong beta emitter and has a long half-life
of 28 years. Exposure to strontium-90 particles will show a rapid accumulation
of the isotope in bone tissue. Because it is so highly radioactive, it interferes
with the production of new blood cells and eventually causes death.
Useful strontium compounds include:
