How Algae Use a “Sulfate Trap” to Selectively Biomineralize
Strontium  OCTOBER 20, 2011  Bookmark and Share  Confocal
microscopy of C. moniliferum.  In any kind of nuclear reactor,
there is a small amount of the radioactive isotope strontium-90
that is formed as part of the regular fission process. In fact,
fission products such as strontium-90 make up approximately 3%
of the total mass of spent nuclear fuels. The majority of the
fission products are stable isotopes or very short-lived
radioisotopes that do not cause much concern. However, there are
several radioactive fission products that are present in
significant quantities in spent fuels, including strontium-90
and caesium-137 (which together make up 0.3% of the total mass),
as well as iodine-129 and technetium-99 (which together make up
0.1% of the total mass).  Strontium-90 has a half-life of
approximately 30 years, and emits a beta particle as it decays
to yttrium-90 (another radioisotope). It is particularly
hazardous because in our bodies, strontium