Clair Cameron Patterson
Clair Cameron Patterson
Clair Cameron Patterson in his laboratory
| Born | June 2, 1922 |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Mitchellville, Iowa, United States |
| Died | December 5, 1995 |
| Place of death | Sea Ranch, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Determining the age of the Earth, Campaigning against lead pollution |
Clair Cameron Patterson (June 2, 1922 – December 5, 1995) was an American geochemist who is best known for his pioneering work in determining the age of the Earth and for his efforts to reduce lead contamination in the environment. His work has had a profound impact on both geology and environmental science.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Clair Patterson was born in Mitchellville, Iowa, and grew up in a rural setting. He attended Grinnell College where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1951, where he worked under the guidance of Harrison Brown.
Determining the Age of the Earth[edit | edit source]
Patterson is most famous for his work in determining the age of the Earth. Using uranium-lead dating on the Canyon Diablo meteorite, he calculated the age of the Earth to be approximately 4.55 billion years. This was a groundbreaking discovery that provided a more accurate estimate of the Earth's age than had been previously available.
Campaign Against Lead Pollution[edit | edit source]
In the course of his research, Patterson discovered that lead contamination was widespread in the environment. He found that lead levels in the atmosphere had increased dramatically since the industrial revolution, primarily due to the use of tetraethyllead in gasoline. Patterson became a vocal advocate for the removal of lead from gasoline and other products, a campaign that eventually led to significant policy changes and a reduction in environmental lead levels.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Clair Patterson's work has had a lasting impact on both the scientific community and public health policy. His determination of the Earth's age remains a cornerstone of geochronology, and his advocacy for reducing lead pollution has contributed to improved health outcomes worldwide.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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