Release ofRa from uranium mill tailings by microbial Fe(III) reduction

Uranium mill tailings were anaerobically incubated in the presence of H₂ with Alteromonas putrefaciens, a bacterium known to couple the oxidation of H₂ and organic compounds to the reduction of Fe(III) oxides. There was a direct correlation between the extent of Fe(III) reduction and the accumulation of dissolved²²⁶Ra. In sterile tailings in which Fe(III) was not reduced, there was negligible leaching of²²⁶Ra. The behavior of Ba was similar to that of Ra in inoculated and sterile systems. These results demonstrate that under anaerobic conditions, microbial reduction of Fe(III) may result in the release of dissolved²²⁶Ra from uranium mill tailings.     

Behavior of uranium under conditions of interaction of rocks and ores with subsurface water

The behavior of uranium during interaction of subsurface water with crystalline rocks and uranium ores is considered in connection with the problem of safe underground insulation of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Since subsurface water interacts with crystalline rocks formed at a high temperature, the mineral composition of these rocks and uranium species therein are thermodynamically unstable. Therefore, reactions directed toward the establishment of equilibrium proceed in the water-rock system. At great depths that are characterized by hindered water exchange, where subsurface water acquires near-neutral and reducing properties, the interaction is extremely sluggish and is expressed in the formation of micro- and nanoparticles of secondary minerals. Under such conditions, the slow diffusion redistribution of uranium with enrichment in absorbed forms relative to all other uranium species is realized as well. The products of secondary alteration of Fe- and Ti-bearing minerals serve as the main sorbents of uranium. The rate of alteration of minerals and conversion of uranium species into absorbed forms is slow, and the results of these processes are insignificant, so that the rocks and uranium species therein may be regarded as unaltered. Under reducing conditions, subsurface water is always saturated with uranium. Whether water interacts with rock or uranium ore, the equilibrium uranium concentration in water is only ≤10^?8 mol/l. Uraninite ore under such conditions always remains stable irrespective of its age. The stability conditions of uranium ore are quite suitable for safe insulation of SNF, which consists of 95% uraninite (UO₂) and is a confinement matrix for all other radionuclides. The disposal of SNF in massifs of crystalline rocks at depths below 500 m, where reducing conditions are predominant, is a reliable guarantee of high SNF stability. Under oxidizing conditions of the upper hydrodynamic zone, the rate of interaction of rocks with subsurface water increases by orders of magnitude and subsurface water is commonly undersaturated with uranium. Uranium absorbed by secondary minerals, particularly by iron hydroxides and leucoxene, is its single stable species under oxidizing conditions. The impact of oxygen-bearing water leads to destruction of uranium ore. This process is realized simultaneously at different hypsometric levels even if the permeability of the medium is variable in both the lateral and vertical directions. As a result, intervals containing uranyl minerals and relics of primary uranium ore are combined in ore-bearing zones with intervals of completely dissolved uranium minerals. A wide halo of elevated uranium contents caused by sorption is always retained at the location of uranium ore entirely destroyed by weathering. Uranium ore commonly finds itself in the aeration zone due to technogenic subsidence of the groundwater table caused by open-pit mining or pumping out of water from underground mines. The capillary and film waters that interact with rocks and ores in this zone are supplemented by free water filtering along fractures when rain falls or snow is thawing. The interaction of uranium ore with capillary water results in oxidation of uraninite, accompanied by loosening of the mineral surface, formation of microfractures, and an increase in solubility with enrichment of capillary water in uranium up to 10^?4 mol/l. Secondary U(VI) minerals, first of all, uranyl hydroxides and silicates, replace uraninite, and uranium undergoes local diffusion redistribution with its sorption by secondary minerals of host rocks. The influx of free water facilitates the complete dissolution of primary and secondary uranium minerals, the removal of uranium at the sites of groundwater discharge, and its redeposition under reducing conditions at a greater depth. It is evident that the conditions of the upper hydrodynamic zone and the aeration zone are unfit for long-term insulation of SNF and high-level wastes because, after the failure of containers, the leakage of radionuclides into the environment becomes inevitable.     

Assessment of natural radioactivity in aquifer medium bearing uranium ores in Koprubasi,Turkey

Koprubasi, located within Manisa Province near the Izmir, is the biggest uranium mine where uranium ores originate from Neogene aged altered sandstone and conglomerate layers. The main objective of this study is to determine the radiation hazard associated with radioactivity levels of uranium ores, and the rocks and sediments around Koprubasi. In this regard, measured activity levels of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were compared with world averages. The average activity levels of ²²⁶ Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were measured to be 5369.75, 124.78 and 10.0 Bq/kg in uranium ores, 24.32, 52.94 and 623.38 Bq/kg in gneiss, 46.24, 45.13 and 762.26 Bq/kg in sandstone and conglomerate, 73.11, 43.15 and 810.65 Bq/kg in sediments, respectively. All samples have high ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K levels according to world average level. As these sediments are used as construction materials and in agricultural activities within the study area, the radiation hazard are calculated by using dose rate (D), annual effective dose rate (He), radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) and radiation hazard index (I_yr). All the samples have Ra_eq levels that are lower than the world average limit of 370 Bq/kg. On the other hand, D, He and I_yr values are higher than world average values. These results indicate that the uranium ores in the Koprubasi is the most important contributor to the natural radiation level. The radioactivity levels of sediments and rocks make them unsuitable for use as agricultural soil and as construction materials. Moreover, it is determined that shallow groundwater in sediments and deep groundwater in conglomerate rocks and also surface water sources in the Koprubasi have high ²²⁶Ra content. According to environmental radioactive baseline, some environmental protection study must be taken in Koprubasi uranium site and the environment.     

厦门火烧屿裸露岩石的铀放射系不平衡

用HPGeγ谱方法测定了厦门火烧屿裸露岩石天然放射性核素^40K、^228Ra、^228Th、^238U、^226Ra和^210Pb含量，对其铀系不平衡关系进行了讨论，发现钍系核素^228Ra和^228Th基本上是平衡的，而大部分样品^226Ra相对于^228U、^210Pb相对于^226Ra亏损。由此推论，水体作用下岸边岩石中^226Ra直接进入水体，可以是海水中^226Ra的一个来源；岸边岩石中^222Rn逸出后，衰变^210Pb再进入水体，可以是海水中^210Pb的一个来源。     

中南地区碎裂蚀变花岗岩型铀矿溶浸试验

简要叙述了溶浸采矿的重要意义,并主要以GX铀矿样为例进行碎裂蚀变花岗岩型铀矿溶浸试验。介绍了中南地区碎裂蚀变花岗岩型铀矿样的矿物组成及性质、铀含量、化学组分、原矿筛析、柱浸和富集过程,以及溶浸采矿的直接成本核算方法与核算结果。该试验结果为本区溶浸采矿的半工业试验提供了基础数据。     

Radionuclides in ground water of the Carson River Basin,western Nevada and eastern California,U.S.A.

Ground water is the main source of domestic and public supply in the Carson River Basin. Ground water originates as precipitation primarily in the Sierra Nevada in the western part of Carson and Eagle Valleys, and flows down gradient in the direction of the Carson River through Dayton and Churchill Valleys to a terminal sink in the Carson Desert. Because radionuclides dissolved in ground water can pose a threat to human health, the distribution and sources of several naturally occurring radionuclides that contribute to gross-alpha and gross-beta activities in the study area were investigated. Generally, alpha and beta activities and U concentration increase from the up-gradient to down-gradient hydrographic areas of the Carson River Basin, whereas²²²Rn concentration decreases. Both²²⁶Ra and²²⁸Ra concentrations are similar throughout the study area. Alpha and beta activities and U concentration commonly exceed 100 pCi/l in the Carson Desert at the distal end of the flow system. Radon-222 commonly exceeds 2,000 pCi/l in the western part of Carson and Eagle Valleys adjacent to the Sierra Nevada. Radium-226 and²²⁸Ra concentrations are <5pCi/l. Four ground water samples were analyzed for²¹⁰Po and one sample contained a high concentration of 21 pCi/l. Seven samples were analyzed for²¹⁰Pb; six contained <3pCi/l and one contained 12 pCi/l. Thorium-230 was detected at concentrations of 0.15 and 0.20 pCi/l in two of four samples.Alpha-emitting radionuclides in the ground water originated from the dissolution of U-rich granitic rocks in the Sierra Nevada by CO₂, oxygenated water. Dissolution of primary minerals, mainly titanite (sphene) in the granitic rocks, releases U to the water. Dissolved U is probably removed from the water by adsorption on Fe- and Mn-oxide coatings on fracture surfaces and fine-grained sediment, by adsorption on organic matter, and by coprecipitation with Fe and Mn oxides. These coated sediments are transported throughout the basin by fluvial processes. Thus, U is transported as dissolved and adsorbed species. A rise in the water table in the Carson Desert because of irrigation has resulted in the oxidation of U-rich organic matter and dissolution of U-bearing coatings on sediments, producing unusually high U concentration in the ground water.Alpha activity in the ground water is almost entirely from the decay of U dissolved in the water. Beta activity in ground water samples is primarily from the decay of⁴⁰K dissolved in the water and ingrowth of²³⁸U progeny in the sample before analysis. Approximately one-half of the measured beta activity may not be present in ground water in the aquifer, but instead is produced in the sample after collection and before analysis. Potassium-40 is primarily from the dissolution of K-containing minerals, probably K-feldspar and biotite. Radon-222 is primarily from the decay of²²⁶Ra in the aquifer materials. Radium in the ground water is thought to be mainly from alpha recoil associated with the decay of Th in the aquifer material. Some Ra may be from dissolution (or desorption) or Ra-rich coatings on sediments.     

Assessment of the radiological hazards of sand sediments collected from streams and streamlets of the uranium deposit areas in West Khasi Hills District,Meghalaya, India

Primordial radionuclides in sand sediments that are often used as constructing materials are one of the sources of radiation hazard in dwellings. Activity concentrations of the primordial radionuclides of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th have been measured in sand sediments collected from streams and streamlets lying within and around the uranium mineralization deposit blocks of Kylleng-Pyndensohiong, Mawthabah Areas of West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India. The technique of gamma-ray spectroscopy using a NaI(Tl) detector with a PC-based multi channel analyser was applied for determination of the activity concentrations. The activity of the sand sediments obtained in this study ranges from 95.3 to 1,088.8 Bq kg⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K; 38.3 to 784.1 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²²⁶Ra and 78.0 to 316.1 Bq kg⁻¹ for ²³²Th. Sand sediments from two sampling locations lying within the mineralization zone show highest concentrations of these radionuclides. The radiological hazards of the sand sediments were calculated using various models given in the literature. The radium equivalent activity was found to be higher than the accepted standard criterion value of 370 Bq kg⁻¹ and the values of external and internal hazard indices were also found to be higher than unity in these two sampling locations. Besides these two sampling locations, a sampling location lying at a nearby distance from the mineralization zone also exhibits hazard indices values greater than unity.     

某花岗岩型铀矿床中铀系核素和类比元素迁移特征──高放废物处置库安全评价的天然类比研究

某花岗岩型铀矿床中铀天然衰变系长寿命核素和类比微量元量，自该矿床５１Ｍａ前生成以来，未向周围花岗岩中发生远距迁移，铀矿体及近矿岩石至今仍处于化学封闭状态。矿石、岩石裂隙处局部出现有核素、元素迁移和沉淀，因裂隙细小且大多充填有粘土矿物等，迁移距离不足２５－３０ｍ，且仅发生在距今１０－１０６ａ及至今时距内。     

Radiological monitoring and statistical approach of primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides in surface soil of Mami-water site in the Western Cameroon

The study referred to measure activity concentrations of some primordial radionuclides and anthropogenic of ¹³⁷Cs in soil samples of Mami-water in the Menoua subdivision, Dschang employing gamma-ray spectrometry-based characterized Broad Energy Germanium (BE6350) detector and a comparison of radiological and safety impact parameters on human due to primordial radioactivity in soil with some internationally approved values. In addition, statistical analysis of primordial radionuclides of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K was performed to evaluate the distribution and the interrelation of radionuclides. Samples were randomly collected from a depth of about 0 to 5 cm from the top surface layer. Each of the sampling points was considered as being overlaid with a grid and subdivided into cells. The observed radioactivity level of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the investigated soil samples was compared with some published data available in some countries including Cameroon and observed varying within some reported data of radioactivity in soil from bauxite ore deposit. ²³⁵U and ¹³⁷Cs were found in very few samples with a very low average of activity concentrations. In the majority of the samples, the observed radiological safety parameters seem to be greater than the internationally approved values. Consequently, using bricks made of soil as building materials might lead to an increase in radiation risk for the population. Multivariate statistical analysis of activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides performed showed an asymmetrical distribution with more peaked than Gaussian distribution and relatively flatter distribution of radionuclides in soil. In addition, a good positive interrelation between ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th was observed and a weak negative one observed between ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra–²³²Th.     

An investigation about natural radioactivity,hydrochemistry, and metal pollution in groundwater from Calabrian selected areas,southern Italy

The increasing interest in radioactivity has brought about the need for an assessment of human exposure to radiation. It is, therefore, necessary to examine naturally occurring radioactivity in the environment, especially its occurrence in groundwater. The aim of this work was then to study the levels and behavior of the most significant natural radionuclides, also in order to improve the knowledge of the hydrochemical processes involved in the selected groundwater systems. Natural radioactivity in fifteen Calabrian groundwaters for human use was investigated through high-resolution gamma spectrometry (with a negative-biased Ortec HPGe detector) and liquid scintillation measurements. Particular attention was given on those radionuclides (³H, ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, and ²²⁸Ra), which contribute in a significant way to the overall effective dose received by members of the public due to the intake of drinking water originating from groundwater systems. The activity concentration of ²³⁸U varied from 1 to 51 mBq/L, as a result of the geology of the investigated area and of the oxidizing conditions that favored U dissolution. ²²⁶Ra presented a broad range of activity concentrations (0.011–0.14 mBq/L), lower than uranium ones because radium occurs in groundwater under reducing conditions. Some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Be, Hg, Ag, As, Tl, Sb, Se, and Ni) were also investigated through ICP-MS measurements and compared with the limits set by the Italian Legislation. Metals are released into the environment by both natural and anthropogenic sources; they leach into underground waters, moving along water pathways and eventually depositing in the aquifer.     

Relationships between radium and radon occurrence and hydrochemistry in fresh groundwater from fractured crystalline rocks, North Carolina (USA)

Naturally-occurring radionuclides (uranium, radium, and radon), major dissolved constituents, and trace elements were investigated in fresh groundwater in 117 wells in fractured crystalline rocks from the Piedmont region (North Carolina, USA). Chemical variations show a general transition between two water types: (1) slightly acidic (pH 5.0–6.0), oxic, low-total dissolved solids (TDS) waters, and (2) near neutral, oxic to anoxic, higher-TDS waters. The uranium, radium, and radon levels in groundwater associated with granite (Rolesville Granite) are systematically higher than other rock types (gneiss, metasedimentary, and metavolcanic rocks). Water chemistry plays a secondary role on radium and radon distributions as the ²²²Rn/²²⁶Ra activity ratio is correlated with redox-sensitive solutes such as dissolved oxygen and Mn concentrations, as well as overall dissolved solids content including major divalent cations and Ba. Since ²²⁴Ra/²²⁸Ra activity ratios in groundwater are close to 1, we suggest that mobilization of Ra and Rn is controlled by alpha recoil processes from parent nuclides on fracture surfaces, ruling out Ra sources from mineral dissolution or significant long-distance Ra transport. Alpha recoil is balanced by Ra adsorption that is influenced by redox conditions and/or ion concentrations, resulting in an approximately one order of magnitude decrease (~ 20,000 to ~ 2000) in the apparent Ra distribution coefficient between oxygen-saturated and anoxic conditions and also across the range of dissolved ion concentrations (up to ~ 7 mM). Thus, the U and Th content of rocks is the primary control on observed Ra and Rn activities in groundwater in fractured crystalline rocks, and in addition, linked dissolved solids concentrations and redox conditions impart a secondary control.     

Evaluation of lead isotopic methods for uranium exploration, Koongarra Area, Northern Territory, Australia

Analysis of radioactive (²¹⁰Pb) and stable lead isotopes in near-surface samples has been tested as a method of uranium exploration in the Pine Creek Geosyncline, Northern Territory, Australia. The lead isotopes were extracted from the samples by a mild leaching agent and were measured by alpha spectrometry for ²¹⁰Pb and by mass spectrometry for stable lead isotopes. The results are compared with those obtained by conventional methods utilizing measurements of radioactivity and radon (Track Etch) in situ and ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and U contents of soils. The major problems addressed were whether the lead isotopic methods are more sensitive than the conventional methods and whether they can discriminate “real” anomalies from the common barren anomalies found in black soils and swamps which contain radium in excess of the uranium present.Four test areas, representing a range of exploration problems, were chosen in the vicinity of the Koongarra uranium deposits and 25 samples from each area were analyzed. Most samples have more ²²⁶Ra than uranium. Radium analyses of several water samples show the source of this radium to be non-uraniferous rocks within the Kombolgie sandstone. The results for soil ²²⁶Ra, radon, scintillometry and ²¹⁹Pb were generally closely correlated, and as a result, the ²¹⁰Pb method was not considered to have any advantages over the conventional methods.At the Koongarra X prospect, which has a weak surface expression, the ratio gave the strongest indication of the underlying uranium mineralization with an anomaly to background ratio of 12.5. However, this ratio is correlated with uranium content and does not offer any particular advantages over uranium analyses alone. More subtle indications of uranium mineralization were found by relating the radiogenic lead (²⁰⁶Pb) and the thorium-derived lead (²⁰⁸Pb) to the common lead content (²⁰⁴Pb). A plot of versus (horizontal axis) is linear for country rock samples, irrespective of the amount of more recently introduced ²²⁶Ra. Samples above uranium mineralization lie off this trend, along a line of near-zero slope. By the use of this plot, indications were found of the Koongarra No. 2 orebody, which is concealed by about 40 m of barren overburden; none of the other techniques detected this mineralization.     

Radium isotopic measurements in the search for uranium in palaeodrainage channels

Analyses have been made of many groundwater samples, some of which were collected from the vicinity of uranium deposits and others from unmineralized areas, for dissolved uranium and for the four naturally occurring isotopes of radium: ²²⁶Ra (²³⁸U decay series, y), ²²⁸Ra and ²²⁴Ra (²³²Th decay series, y and 3.8 d) and ²²³Ra (²³⁵U decay series, d). The radium isotopes ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁴Ra and ²²³Ra, are measured by alpha-spectrometry after extraction from a water sample soon after collection and ²²⁸Ra at a later time by determining the amount of ingrown ²¹²Po.     

Groundwater flow and radionuclide decay-chain transport modelling around a proposed uranium tailings pond in India

Extensive hydrogeological investigations followed by three-dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant transport modelling were carried out around a proposed uranium tailings pond at Seripalli in Andhra Pradesh, India, to estimate its radiological impact. The hydrogeological parameters and measured groundwater level were used to model the groundwater flow and contaminant transport from the uranium tailings pond using a finite-element-based model. The simulated groundwater level compares reasonably with the observed groundwater level. Subsequently, the transport of long-lived radionuclides such as ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²³⁰Th and ²²⁶Ra from the proposed tailings pond was modelled. The ingrowths of progenies were also considered in the modelling. It was observed that these radionuclides move very little from the tailings pond, even at the end of 10,000 y, due to their high distribution coefficients and low groundwater velocities. These concentrations were translated into committed effective dose rates at different distances in the vicinity of the uranium tailings pond. The results indicated that the highest effective dose rate to members of the public along the groundwater flow pathway is 2.5 times lower than the drinking water guideline of 0.1?mSv/y, even after a long time period of 10,000 y.     

The relationship of soil 210Po and 210Pb geochemical dispersion patterns to uranium mineralization

²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb measurements of soils delineated uranium anomalies at three out of four test sites in Ontario, Canada. Measurements were made of ²¹⁰Po in solutions produced by both complete digestion and partial leaching of soil samples. Direct plating of ²¹⁰Po onto metal plates was followed by measuring the alpha activity. Subsequent plating of ²¹⁰Po in-grown from ²¹⁰Pb in solution several months later confirmed the anomalies.The ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb anomalies at three of the test sites coincided with ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn anomalies. Samples from the fourth uranium occurrence associated with a known ²²²Rn anomaly failed to show either a ²²⁶Ra anomaly on the one hand, or ²¹⁰Po or ²¹⁰Pb anomalies on the other. This suggests that the ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb anomalies were probably produced by the decay of ²²⁶Ra contained within secondary dispersion haloes.Although anomalies due to the ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb products of ²²²Rn have now been documented, prospecting methods based on their use as direct tracers of the migration paths of ²²²Rn require much further development.     

贵州三穗铀矿床矿石矿物学特征及其对找矿的指示

三穗铀矿床位于黔中—湘西北铀成矿带内,产于震旦—寒武系老堡组炭质泥岩中,是贵州省近年勘查发现的第一个大型铀矿床。[研究目的]鉴于黔东地区铀矿成矿规律、富集机理及矿石矿物学等研究程度低,查明典型铀矿床矿石矿物组合及化学组分,探讨成矿环境,揭示成矿过程,深化成矿理论认识,将为促进区域成矿预测、扩大找矿勘查成果及丰富该类型铀矿成矿理论提供科学依据。[研究方法]基于三穗铀矿床地质、地球化学特征,通过电子探针、扫描电镜等测试,分析了铀成矿机理及成岩成矿的环境演化。[研究结果]本区含铀岩系老堡组形成于震旦纪/寒武纪转折期的陆缘裂谷和陆缘裂陷缺氧还原环境,铀成矿初始物源与海底火山活动有关;铀矿石主要由铀矿物、铁矿物、黏土矿物、有机质及白云石、石英（或玉髓）、重晶石、方解石等组成,呈微晶—隐晶结构、微晶—粉晶晶粒状结构,层状、纹层状构造;铀矿物丰富,主要有沥青铀矿、硅钙铀矿、硒铅铀矿、钛铀矿、磷铀矿及水碳铀等,以纳米—微米级粒状、柱状（粒径多<10 μm）、细脉状、或隐晶质形式赋存于有机质、铁质、黏土矿物等聚铀矿物中。[结论]三穗铀矿床形成物源具有多源性,与雪峰期海底火山作用带来部分成矿物质、燕山—喜马拉雅期成矿流体在运移的途中不断浸取地层内的成矿物质密切相关,经历了铀初始富集、氧化淋滤及热液叠加再富集过程,成因属典型的碳硅泥岩型。三穗铀矿床中发现大量铀矿物显示,铀富集程度高、成矿作用强,找矿远景好、潜力大。创新点：基于三穗铀矿床地质地球化学特征,通过电子探针、扫描电镜等矿物学研究,揭示本区铀成岩成矿的环境演化及成矿机理,探讨了找矿远景。     

The relationship of soil Po and Pb geochemical dispersion patterns to uranium mineralization

²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb measurements of soils delineated uranium anomalies at three out of four test sites in Ontario, Canada. Measurements were made of ²¹⁰Po in solutions produced by both complete digestion and partial leaching of soil samples. Direct plating of ²¹⁰Po onto metal plates was followed by measuring the alpha activity. Subsequent plating of ²¹⁰Po in-grown from ²¹⁰Pb in solution several months later confirmed the anomalies.The ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb anomalies at three of the test sites coincided with ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn anomalies. Samples from the fourth uranium occurrence associated with a known ²²²Rn anomaly failed to show either a ²²⁶Ra anomaly on the one hand, or ²¹⁰Po or ²¹⁰Pb anomalies on the other. This suggests that the ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb anomalies were probably produced by the decay of ²²⁶Ra contained within secondary dispersion haloes.Although anomalies due to the ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb products of ²²²Rn have now been documented, prospecting methods based on their use as direct tracers of the migration paths of ²²²Rn require much further development.     

Genesis and Metallogenic Process of the Lujing Uranium Deposit,Southwest Jiangxi Province,China: Constraints of Micropetrography and S–C–O Isotopes

The Lujing uranium deposit, located in the southeastern part of the Nanling metallogenic province, is one of the representative granite‐related hydrothermal uranium deposits in South China. Basic geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the deposit have been extensively studied. However, there is still a chronic lack of systematic research on the genesis and metallogenic process of the deposit. Thus, we recently carried out an electron microprobe and stable isotopic analysis. The main research results and progresses are as follows: Uranium minerals in this deposit include coffinite, pitchblende, and uranothorite, and small amounts of uranium exist in accessory minerals in the form of isomorphism. Coffinite, which occurs predominantly as the pseudomorphs after pitchblende, also occurs as a primary mineral and is locally formed from the remobilization of uranium from adjacent uranium‐bearing minerals. The mineralizing fluid was originally composed of a magmatic fluid generated by late Yanshanian magmatism. The high As content of pyrite in ores may reflect the addition of meteoric water, or the formation water (or both), to the magmatic hydrothermal system. The δ³⁴S values vary from −14.4‰ to 13.9‰ (mean δ³⁴S = −3.9‰), showing a range that is similar to nearby Cambrian metamorphic strata and Indosinian granites, indicating that these host rocks represent the source of sulfur; however, the possibility of a mantle source cannot be completely ruled out. According to our new isotopic data and recent Pb isotopic data, we conclude that the uranium in ores was derived by leaching dominantly from the uranium‐rich host rocks, especially the Cambrian metamorphic strata. The δ¹³C_PDB values (−8.75‰ to 1.40‰; mean δ¹³C_PDB = −5.41‰) and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values (5.45–18.62‰; mean δ¹⁸O = 13.02‰) of reddish calcite from the ore‐forming stage suggest that the CO₂ in the mineralizing fluids was derived predominantly from the mantle, with a small component contributed by marine carbonates. Based on these new data and previous research results, this paper proposes that uranium metallogenesis in the Lujing deposit is closely associated with mafic magmatism resulting from crustal extension during the Cretaceous to Paleogene in South China.     

Fixation of radionuclides in the 238U decay series in the vicinity of mineralized zones: 1. The Austatom Uranium Prospect,Northern Territory,Australia

The minimum age of a zone of secondary uranium mineralization, located at the Austatom Prospect in the Alligator Rivers region of Australia, is estimated to be 3.6 × 10⁵y. This is derived from a geochronological model based on retarded leaching of ²³⁴U with respect to ²³⁸U and on ratios within the ore of these members of the ²³⁸U decay series. Although kaolinite is a dominant mineral in the weathered schist-host-rocks, retarded dissolution of ²³⁴U occurs only in the presence of the clay minerals illite and montmorillonite. In their absence the reverse occurs. A model is proposed to explain the results. Ratios of ²³⁰Th to ²³⁸U indicate that the mineralization has probably remained stationary within the weathered schist for at least 1 to 2 × 10⁵y. Future use of clay minerals as buffers in radioactive waste repositories is supported by the excellent long-term retention obtained for oxidized uranium, probably due in part to isomorphic substitution into the clay crystal lattice.     

Sulfur, lead and helium isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals from the Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore district in South China: implication for ore genesis

Summary The Dachang Sn-polymetallic ore district is one of the largest tin producing districts in China. Its origin has long been in dispute between magmatic-hydrothermal replacement and submarine exhalative-hydrothermal origin. The Dachang ore district comprises several types of ore deposits, including the Lamo magmatogenic skarn deposit near a granite intrusion, the Changpo-Tongkeng bedded and vein-type sulfide deposit, and the Gaofeng massive sulfide deposit. Sulfide minerals from the Lamo skarn ores show δ³⁴S values in the range between −3 and +4‰ with a mean close to zero, suggesting a major magmatic sulfur source that likely was the intrusive Longxianggai granite. Sulfide minerals from the Gaofeng massive ores show higher δ³⁴S values between +5 and +12‰, whereas sulfide minerals from the Changpo-Tongkeng bedded ores display lighter δ³⁴S values between −7 and −0.2‰. The difference in the sulfur isotope ranges in the two deposits can be interpreted by different degrees of inorganic thermochemcial reduction of marine sulfate using a one-step batch separation fractionation model. Sulfur isotopic compositions from the vein-type ores at Changpo-Tongkeng vary widely from −8 to +4‰, but most of the data cluster around −2.9‰, which is close to that of bedded ores (−3.6‰). The sulfur in vein-type ores might be derived from bedded ores or it represents a mixture of magmatic- and sedimentary-derived sulfur. Pb isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals in the Dachang ore district reveal a difference between massive and bedded ores, with the massive ores displaying more radiogenic Pb isotope ratios. Correlations of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb or ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb for the massive and bedded ores are interpreted as two-component mixing of Pb leached from sedimentary host rocks and from deep-seated Precambrian basement rocks composed of metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks. Pb isotopic compositions of sulfide minerals from vein-type ores overlap with those of bedded sulfides. Similar to the sulfur, the lead in vein-type ores might be derived from bedded ores. Skarn ores at Lamo show very limited variations in Pb isotopic compositions, which may reflect a major magmatic-hydrothermal lead source. Helium isotope data of fluid inclusions trapped in sulfides indicate that He in the massive and bedded ores has a different origin than He in fluorite of granite-related veins. The ³He/⁴He ratios of 1.2–2.9 Ra of fluid inclusions from sulfides at Gaofeng and Changpo-Tongkeng imply a contribution of mantle-derived fluids. Overall our data support a submarine exhalative-hydrothermal origin for the massive and bedded ore types at Dachang. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at Appendix available as electronic supplementary material