Archived Content

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.

Strontium

The spectacular displays of fireworks held during special events around the world are due in part to the element strontium. Strontium compounds produce the vivid red colour that can be seen from miles away burning in the night sky. Furthermore, the element is an important source of colour for signal flares.

Radioactive strontium-90 is released in nuclear explosions and poses a serious health hazard to humans. It can accumulate in the skeletal system since the body does a poor job of distinguishing between strontium and calcium. Thus, radiation emitted from radioactive strontium-90 can interfere with the formation of new blood cells, with severe health consequences.

Researchers at the National Research Council Canada (NRC) are studying strontium ions as a possible alternative for cesium, the atom currently used for timekeeping around the world. They are hoping to build a clock so accurate that such a device would effectively lose only one second in a period equal to the age of the solar system! The advantage of studying strontium ions for timekeeping is that the strontium clock reference is narrower and more precise than what can be obtained from using the clock transitions of cesium. Also, the scientists are working with a single strontium ion as opposed to a group of cesium atoms. This allows researchers to avoid the slight discrepancies in measured results caused by the collisions between atoms.