10 May 2021 Uranium in India

Uranium in India

Context

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over probe into the seizure of natural uranium worth over ₹21 crore in Mumbai.

Properties

• Uranium is a silvery-Gray metallic radioactive chemical element. It is only naturally formed in supernova explosions.
• Uranium, thorium, and potassium are the main elements contributing to natural terrestrial radioactivity.
• It has chemical symbol U and atomic number 92.
• Uranium isotopes in natural uranium are ²³⁸U (99.27%) and ²³⁵U (0.72%).
• All uranium isotopes are radioactive and fissionable. But only ²³⁵U is fissile.
• Traces of Uranium are found everywhere. Commercial extraction is possible only in locations where the proportion of Uranium is adequate. There are very few such locations.

Uranium in India

• India has no significant reserves of Uranium. All needs are met through imports.
• In India, Uranium deposits occur in the Dharwar rocks.

• It occurs along the Singbhum Copper belt (Jharkhand); Udaipur, Alwar and Jhunjhunu districts of Rajasthan, Durg district of Chhattisgarh, Bhandara district of Maharashtra and Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Some quality reserves are also found in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana between Seshachalam forest and Sresailam

Uses

• used in nuclear power plants due to its unique nuclear properties.
• Depleted uranium is also used as shield against radiation in medical processes using radiation therapy and also while transporting radioactive materials.
• It is effective in halting radiation.
• Its high density also makes it useful as counterweights in aircraft and industrial machinery

Download Yojna IAS Daily Current Affairs of 10th May 2021

rahul123

Yojna IAS Current Affairs Team