3 ms·
To a first approximation all matter on earth radiates because all matter is present with some isotopes that will eventually decay. Don't forget that we're sitti
by lolc 8y ago
To a first approximation all matter on earth radiates because all matter is present with some isotopes that will eventually decay. Don't forget that we're sitting on top of a huge ball of molten metal kept hot by ongoing nuclear decay. That process produces all kinds of isotopes that eventually make their way to the surface.
The bomb tests did increase background radiation for us; irresponsibly so in my opinion. But so does burning coal. We have been lifting the level of background radiation over the natural level for centuries by now.
I don't see how sunk steel would be any more valuable than steel from freshly mined ore. But I like to be surprised about these things :-)
- rcxdude 8y ago> I don't see how sunk steel would be any more valuable than steel from freshly mined ore. But I like to be surprised about these things :-) Steel production uses air from the atmosphere. Thus it picks up the increased background radiation while it is refined. It may be possible to scrub the radioactive components from the air to avoid contanimating the steel, but I expect the cost would be prohibitive (at the very least, more expensive than getting it from old battleships).
- yreg 8y agoWikipedia agrees with you that the primary source of this steel is from old ships. It is used for Geiger counters, aerospace sensor etc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-background_steel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-background_steel