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uranium234

Uranium-234, commonly denoted 234U, is a radioactive isotope of uranium with mass number 234. It occurs naturally as a minor component of natural uranium and is produced in the decay chain of 238U.

It has a half-life of about 245,500 years and decays by alpha emission to thorium-230 (230Th). As

Natural abundance and production: 234U accounts for about 0.0055 percent of natural uranium by atoms. In undisturbed

Applications and significance: The 238U–234U–230Th decay sequence is widely used in uranium-series dating, including dating of

Safety: 234U is radioactive and an alpha emitter. Health risks arise mainly from inhalation or ingestion, so

an
isotope
of
uranium,
234U
shares
chemical
properties
with
the
other
uranium
isotopes,
but
its
radioactive
decay
is
the
primary
characteristic
of
interest.
samples,
the
activities
of
238U
and
234U
are
roughly
equal
due
to
secular
equilibrium
in
the
uranium-238
decay
chain.
calcium
carbonate
sediments
and
groundwater
systems.
234U
also
serves
as
a
tracer
in
environmental
studies
and
in
nuclear
forensics
to
investigate
uranium
processing
and
ore
formation.
handling
of
uranium
materials
follows
standard
radiological
safety
practices
and
containment
measures.