Discovered in: 1801

Discovered by: Charles Hatchett of England

Description: Named for Niobe, the daughter of Tantalus, from Greek mythology, niobium is a soft, shiny, bluish-white metal. It is unaffected by water or alkalis but does react with warm air, and hot acids. Niobium is used in alloys, especially with steel. Like zirconium, it is not affected by neutron bombardment. Consequently, it is also used in nuclear reactor vessels. Niobium is alloyed with zirconium to make superconducting magnets. It also is used in jet and rocket engines. It sometimes is used in jewelry due to its bluish color. Until 1950, niobium was known as columbium.

Biological Rating: No known benefits for life processes.

Biological Benefits: Niobium has no known biological use.

Percentage Amount in the Human Body: 0.000002 %

Obtained from: Niobium is present in many minerals. The minerals pyrochlore and to lesser extent, betafite, columbite, and samarskite are mined for niobium. It also is produced as a by-product of tin processing. Niobium is mined in Brazil, Canada, Zaire, China and Nigeria.