Encyclopedia of Global Resources part 54 provides a wide variety of perspectives on both traditional and more recent views of Earth's resources. It serves as a bridge connecting the domains of resource exploitation, environmentalism, geology, and biology, and it explains their interrelationships in terms that students and other nonspecialists can understand. The articles in this set are extremely diverse, with articles covering soil, fisheries, forests, aluminum, the Industrial Revolution, the . Department of the Interior, the hydrologic cycle, glass, and placer mineral deposits. . | 478 Gases inert or noble Global Resources entry and therefore is not covered here. Radon gas which is ubiquitous is an end product of uranium decay that is radioactive and emanates from soil rocks and hot springs in areas where uranium and thorium are found. Primary Uses The primary uses of these gases are in arc welding neon lights fluorescent lights and lasers. They are also used as Geiger counters and inert atmospheres. Technical Definition The inert or noble gases are Group VIIIA of the periodic table of the elements. They are colorless tasteless and odorless monoatomic gases. Description Distribution and Forms Neon abbreviated Ne atomic number 10 has three naturally occurring stable isotopes neon 20 percent neon 21 percent and neon 22 percent . The atomic weight is with a boiling point of -246 Celsius and a melting point of -249 Celsius. Argon Ar atomic number 18 has three naturally occurring stable isotopes argon 40 percent argon 38 percent and argon 36 percent . The atomic weight is with a boiling point of -186 Celsius and a melting point of -189 Celsius. Krypton Kr atomic number 36 has six naturally occurring stable isotopes 78 80 82 83 84 and 86 of which 84 is the most abundant percent . The atomic weight is with a boiling point of-157 Celsius and a melting point of-153 Celsius. One isotope that has been studied krypton 85 is mainly generated in uranium reprocessing plants but also in nuclear reactors and as a product of spontaneous fission. The study concluded that the concentration could grow to the point that krypton 85 could produce as much radiation exposure for humans as is the natural background radiation. The outcome of this could be an increase in skin cancer. Xenon Xe atomic number 54 has nine naturally occurring stable isotopes. The atomic weight is with a boiling point at -112 Celsius and a melting point of-107 Celsius. Although argon has been found in certain igneous rocks .
