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Polonium-210 Dynamics In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Patrick Robert Jones
Polonium-210 Dynamics In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Patrick Robert Jones
LSU Master's Theses
Polonium-210 (t1/2=138 d) is the most common among the 33 known radioisotopes of Polonium found in the natural environment. It is produced by the radioactive decay of its long-lived grandparent Lead-210(t1/2=22.3 d) via Bismuth-210 (t1/2=5.012 d) and forms as part of the natural Uranium-238 decay series. The primary hazard associated with Polonium-210 is its radioactivity, as an alpha particle emitter. Marine organisms receive their maximum radioactive dose in the natural environment from Polonium-210. Polonium has been known to bioaccumulate in the marine food web and can be potentially harmful to humans via the intake of certain marine organisms. Thus it …
Links Between Environmental Mercury, Special Education, And Autism In Louisiana, Jessica Rury
Links Between Environmental Mercury, Special Education, And Autism In Louisiana, Jessica Rury
LSU Master's Theses
The number of children born every year with neurological disorders is increasing and some of this increase may be attributed to mercury exposure. Pregnant women ingest contaminated fish, which transfers high mercury concentrations to the unborn fetus. This exposure may result in methyl mercury buildup in the brain of the unborn fetus. Symptoms ranging from minor to severe may be observed as special educational needs in school systems. These include learning disorders, developmental delays, and autism. Louisianans are especially susceptible to mercury contamination because fish and shellfish are a major portion of their cultural diet. This study, through the use …