Question

In the 1950sand 1960s, several nations conducted tests of nuclear warheads in the atmosphere. It was customary, following each test, to monitor the concentration of strontium-90(a radioactive isotope of strontium) in milk. Why would strontium-90tend to accumulate in milk?

Short answer

Strontium-90 tends to accumulate in milk because Strontiumand Strontium both have similar chemical properties.

Step-by-step solution

Concept Introduction

The alkaline earth metals are: Beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium are the elements involved. The elements have extremely similar properties at room temperature and pressure: they are all lustrous, silvery-white, and moderately reactive metals.

Strontium accumulating milk

The chemical behavior of strontium is similar to that of calcium. Strontium and calcium are alkaline earth metals with similar chemical properties.

Strontium can accumulate in the soil, in plants, and in animals.

Milk has received attention as a source of strontium-90 (Sr-90) since it is the major source of calcium. Strontium could replace some calcium in milk without much difficulty.

Therefore, both isotopes have similar chemical properties.