This cache is the 9th in a series of 22 hides to be named after
chemical elements and placed on Ramsey streets (and sometimes
points North) with the same name. The series will speed up the
qualification requirements for challenge cache
GC2P5TJ, since some already published elements
require traveling great distances. The closest cache named
Radium is located in Missouri, 600 miles
South.
History: Radium was discovered in 1898 by Marie
and Pierre Curie in pitchblende (or uraninite) from North Bohemia.
The element was isolated in 1911 by Mme. Curie and Debierne by the
electrolysis of a solution of pure radium chloride, employing a
mercury cathode. On distillation in an atmosphere of hydrogen this
amalgam yielded the pure metal.
Sources: Radium is found naturally in uranium
ores such as pitchblende (mostly UO2). One tonne of
pitchblende might yield about 0.15 g of radium. Ores containing
radium are found in Zaire, Australia, Canada, and USA (New Mexico,
Utah, and in small amounts in carnotite sands from Colorado).
Recovery is costly. Some estimates suggest that every square
kilometre of soil to a depth of a 40 cm contains about 1 g of
radium.
Uses:
- self-luminous paints
- neutron sources
- medical uses for the treatment of conditions such as cancer
(now being replaced by 60Co sources)