Uses of Deuterium
Deuterium is known also as heavy hydrogen, due to its larger molecular mass. From the combination of deuterium with oxygen results heavy water (D2O), which in increased quantities has negative biological effects.
Heavy water was first produced in 1932, a few months after the discovery of deuterium. With the discovery of nuclear fission in 1938, and the need for a neutron moderator that could capture neutrons, heavy water became an important component of early nuclear energy programs.
Deuterium is also used in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental sciences, hydrology, due to its reactive properties and differences between deuterium and hydrogen.
Negative Effects of Deuterium Studies conducted using deuterium and heavy water have shown that they have negative effects on the immune system: an increased amount of deuterium in the body reduces the number of leukocytes in the blood and weakens the body's ability to respond to disturbing factors.
Experiments on rats have shown that a degree …Read more
