The Use of Scallop Shell Powder as a Method of Extracting Alkaline-Earth Metals

Abstract

Scallop shells become industrial waste every year in Japan. So far, attempts to reuse the shells have been mainly limited to the commercial production of CaCO3. There are no obvious economical benefits to using scallop shells as a source of CaCO3. Therefore, we are attempting to find a new value added use for scallop shells as an advanced functional material. The other background is nuclear wastewater, which contains radioactive Sr and Cs+. Sr tends to accumulate in bones and is believed to be a cause of bone cancer. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop a method for the removal of Sr from the contaminated water.