Yes
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The abundance of thorium in the earth crust is approx. 6 ppm.
In a pure sample, one (uranium itself). In ores, traces of lead, thorium and rare earth elements are usually present.
Thorium itself is odorless in its natural state. However, thorium compounds may have a slight metallic or musty odor. It is always important to handle thorium with proper precautions due to its radioactive properties.
Some thorium ores are monazite, thorianite, thorite.
Thorium is generally known by its chemical name "Thorium." However, it may also be referred to as "Th" on the periodic table.
Thorium is a solid metal.
John G. Parker has written: 'The rare-earth elements, yttrium, and thorium' -- subject(s): Rare earth metals, Thorium, Yttrium
No, thorium is not a rare earth metal. It is a radioactive metal that is relatively abundant in the Earth's crust. Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements that have similar chemical properties and are typically found together in nature.
The isotope thorium-232 is an alpha emitter; extremely rare are decays by spontaneous fission or double beta emission.
Thorium can be strip mined and it could be deep mined. It is be produced as a byproduct of the production of rare earth elements, and since the current production as a byproduct far exceeds the demand, it is not usually mined.
Common compounds of thorium: thorium dioxide, thorium trifluoride, thorium tetrafluoride, thorium tetrachloride, thorium triiodide, thorium diiodide, thorium tetraiodide, thorium nitrate, thorium oxalate, thorium carbide, thorium sulfides, thorium nitride, thorium oxinate, etc.
Some thorium minerals are: monazite, thorianite, thorite.Reserves of thorium are in: India, Australia, Canada, Turkey, Brazil, United States, Russia, South Africa, Norway, China, etc.
Thorium is typically mined as a byproduct of rare earth element mining, with the largest producers being China, Brazil, India, and the United States. These countries have significant reserves of thorium and extract it during the process of mining for other minerals.
Thorium and fluorine Thorium trifluoride - ThF3 Thorium tetrafluoride - ThF4
These activities should not be eliminated because thorium is useful; only appropriate protection measures to be taken.
Hazards and Health Considerations: Thorium presents both a toxic and radiological hazard. Toxicologically, it causes heavy metal poisoning similar to lead or the uranium isotopes. Biologically, thorium accumulates in the skeletal system where it has a biological half-life of 200 years, the same as plutonium. An M 17 protective mask and standard anti-contamination clothing will adequately protect against thorium.
Thorium is primarily sourced from the earth's crust, often found in minerals like monazite and thorite. It is typically extracted as a byproduct of rare earth element mining or during the production of other metals like uranium.
Thorium is a natural, radioactive, chemical element; chemically, thorium is homogeneous.