Cycling of Calcium in Nature
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Please review the occurrence and cycling of calcium in nature, along with its use. Analyze and evaluate the article as to it's contemporary relevance regarding the elements availability, health implications and environmental impact.
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The expert reviews the occurrence and cycling of calcium in nature,
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Calcium
- Calcium as an element is classified as a group 2 alkaline earth metal, that is, it is located in the second column of the periodic table.
- These are all metals, silvery white and shiny appearance
- The alkaline earth metals are high in the reactivity series of metals (not as high as the alkali metals of Group 1)
- It is the fifth most abundant dissolved ion in seawater mass and molarity.
- All group 2 elements are found in the earth's crust - calcium is actually the 5th most abundant element on the planet, making up approximately 3% of the total mass!
- Calcium does not occur as the metal itself in nature. It is instead is found in various minerals such as limestone, gypsum and fluorite.
- As eluded to above, calcium is somewhat reactive:
o It readily forms a white coating of calcium nitride (Ca3N2) in air.
o It reacts with water
o The metal burns with a yellow-red flame, forming largely the nitride.
- Calcium was widely known as early as the first century when the Ancient Romans prepared lime.
- It was finally isolated as pure calcium metal in 1808 by Sir Humphry Davy in England.
- Calcium is essential for human nutrition and crucial for good health:
o Approximately 99% of the human body's calcium us ...
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