Helium in soil and overburden gas as an exploration pathfinder — an assessment

Orientation surveys were conducted over five deposits to test the potential of determining helium in overburden gas as a pathfinder for uranium mineralization and other deposits containing uranium or thorium. Samples were collected via fixed tubes emplaced at depths of 6 m in backfilled holes drilled for this purpose. Compared to the atmospheric background value of 5.24 ppm v/v He, a variable weak anomaly (maximum 5.45–5.65 ppm He) was found over part of the Angela uranium deposit, N.T., in an arid area where mineralization is mostly at a depth of 60–90 m, at or below the water-table. Helium contents were mostly at background levels over a uranium deposit in the Officer Basin, W.A., where mineralization is at the water-table at 30–35 m, although radon gave a marked anomaly. Neither helium nor radon indicated the Manyingee deposit, W.A., which has uranium mineralization in a confined aquifer at 60–110 m. Similarly, no helium anomalies were found over the uranium- and thorium-rich Mt. Weld carbonatite or mineral sands at Eneabba.There appeared to be no correlation between helium distributions shown by groundwater and overburden-gas sampling at Manyingee or Mt. Weld. At Mt. Weld, groundwaters contained 0.06 to 13.60 μ/l He and overburden gases 5.24–5.47 ppm He, with the higher gas concentrations over country rock, where waters had background helium contents. It is presumed that equilibration between overburden gas and the atmosphere is far more rapid than that between overburden gas and groundwater, so that any helium released from the water is quickly dispersed.Overburden-gas helium concentrations were found to vary according to overburden type, being 5.24–5.32 ppm where sandy and porous and 5.30–5.50 ppm where clay-rich and less permeable. These background variations, which are greater than the total background-anomaly contrasts reported in the literature for shallow soil gases, have not been accounted for in most trial surveys, nor has the possibility of similar variations being due to analytical error. From the data obtained, there is little evidence that helium can be considered an effective pathfinder for blind or concealed deposits using soil gas or overburden gas as sample media. Previous work on the use of soil and soil-gas helium determinations in uranium exploration is reviewed in the light of these findings and the concept and techniques assessed.     

Chemical and physical characterization of suspended particles and colloids in waters from the Osamu Utsumi mine and Morro do Ferro analogue study sites, Poços de Caldas, Brazil

Data are presented on suspended particles and colloids in groundwaters from the Osamu Utsumi mine and the Morro do Ferro analogue study sites. Cross-flow ultrafiltration with membranes of different pore sizes (450 nm to 1.5 nm) was used to prepare colloid concentrates and ultrafiltrates for analyses of major and trace elements and U- and Th-isotopic compositions. Additional characterization of colloidal and particulate material was performed by ESCA, SEM and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate the presence of low concentrations of colloids in these waters (typically < 500 μg/l), composed mainly of iron/organic species. Minor portions of uranium and other trace elements, but significant fractions of the total concentrations of Th and REE in prefiltered waters (< 450 nm) were associated with these colloids.Suspended particles (> 450 nm), also composed mainly of hydrous ferric oxides and humic-like compounds, show the same trend as the colloids with respect to U, Th and REE associations, but elemental concentrations were typically higher by a factor of 1,000 or more. In waters of low pH and with high sulphate content, these associations are considerably lower. Due to the low concentrations of suspended particles in groundwaters from the Osamu Utsumi uranium mine (typically <0.5 mg/l), these particles carry only a minor fraction of U and the REE (<10% of the total concentrations in unfiltered groundwaters), but a significant, usually predominant fraction of Th (30–70%). The suspended particle load in groundwaters from the Morro do Ferro environment is typically higher than in those from the mine by a factor of 5 to 10. This suggests that U, Th and the REE could be transported predominantly by particulate matter. However, these particles and colloids seem to have a low capacity for migration.     

Rare-earth elements in groundwaters from the Osamu Utsumi mine and Morro do Ferro analogue study sites, Poços de Caldas, Brazil

Data are presented on rare-earth elements (REE) in prefiltered (<450 nm) near-surface and deeper groundwaters and in corresponding particulate matter (>450 nm) from the Osamu Utsumi uranium mine and the Morro do Ferro thorium-REE-deposit. Groundwaters from both sites typically contain between 1–50 μg/l of total REE, but can reach values of up to 160 μg/l in the deepest borehole F4 (U-Mine: 150–415 m). Even higher REE concentrations of up to 29 mg/l were measured in acidic, sulfate-rich near-surface waters of the same site. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns in deeper, more reducing groundwaters and in their corresponding suspended particle fractions are similar to those observed in the bedrock (phonolites), indicating that bedrock leaching and secondary mineral sorption occurred without significant fractionation between these elements, in accordance with the only small variations in the stability constants of the expected REE-sulfate complexes in these waters. Groundwaters from the unsaturated zone of both sites show a very characteristic cerium depletion (less pronounced than that observed in the corresponding suspended particulate fractions), which is most probably related to the oxidation of Ce (III) under the prevailing E_h-conditions of these waters (600 to 800 mV), and to sorption/precipitation reactions of the much less soluble Ce(IV) species. Coarse particulate matter (>450 nm), composed mainly of amorphous ferric hydrous oxides, has a strong capacity for sorption of REE. This is shown by its very high REE concentrations, in some boreholes > 8,000 μg/g (total REE), and by the calculated association ratios R_a (ml/g), which are in the order of 10⁵ to 10⁶. The implications of these findings for the migration behavior of REE in both environments are discussed.     

High levels of uranium and radium in groundwaters at Canada's Underground Research Laboratory, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, Canada

High concentrations of U and²²⁶Ra, and elevated²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratios have been measured in groundwater samples collected from water supply wells and exploratory boreholes in the area surrounding the Underground Research Laboratory (URL) of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, in southeastern Manitoba. All groundwaters come from the Lac du Bonnet granite batholith or sediments overlying the batholith.Uranium concentrations attain almost 1 mg/l in some shallow, low-salinity groundwaters, whereas²²⁶Ra tends to be high (up to 38 Bq/l) in deeper, saline waters. The U concentrations are some of the highest observed in global groundwaters, yet no significant ore body or mineralization is known in the area. Analyses of unaltered rock samples of the Lac du Bonnet granite show slight U enrichment over average Canadian Shield granites (6.5 μg/g vs 4 μg/g), and altered wall rock in fracture zones is enriched in U by up to an order of magnitude compared to adjacent bedrock. Low²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratios in this altered rock indicate active and recent leaching of U by groundwater.The key control on U concentration appears to be redox potential. Concentrations of U in rock, residence time and groundwater composition are of lesser importance. Geochemical modelling of the shallower, oxidized waters indicates that U speciation consists mainly of anionic carbonate complexes of the uranyl ion. This is supported by the remarkable efficiency of an anionic filter developed to remove high levels of U from drinking water in the area.In more reducing groundwaters, U concentrations are similar to those determined in recent experimental work on uraninite solubility in the pH range 7–8.5. Colloidal U is <10% of total U and organic complexation is unlikely to be significant because of low dissolved organic concentrations. The results emphasize the significance of redox potential in controlling U mobility in both oxidizing and reducing environments and indicate the usefulness of U concentration in estimating groundwater Eh.     

High arsenic and boron concentrations in groundwaters related to mining activity in the Bigadiç borate deposits (Western Turkey)

This study documents the environmental impacts of borate mines in Bigadiç district, which are the largest colemanite and ulexite deposits in the world. Borate-bearing formations have affected the concentrations of some contaminants in groundwater. Groundwater quality is directly related to the borate zones in the mines as a result of water–rock interaction processes. Calcium is the dominant cation and waters are Ca–SO₄ and HCO₃ type in the mine (Tülü borate mine) from which colemanite is produced. However in the Simav and Acep Borate Mines, ulexite and colemanite minerals are produced and waters from these open pit mines are Na–HCO₃–SO₄ types. High SO₄ concentrations (reaching 519 mg/L) might be explained by the existence of anhydrite, gypsum and celestite minerals in the borate zone. Groundwater from tuff and borate strata showed relatively low pH values (7–8) compared to surface and mine waters (>8). EC values ranged from 270 to 2850 μS/cm. Boron and As were the two important contaminants determined in the groundwaters around the Bigadiç borate mines. Arsenic is the major pollutant and it ranged from 33 to 911 μg/L in the groundwater samples. The concentrations of B in the study area ranged from 0.05 to 391 mg/L. The highest B concentrations were detected at the mine areas. The extension of the borate zones in the aquifer systems is the essential factor in the enrichment of B and As, and some major and trace elements in groundwaters are directly related to the leaching of the host rock which are mainly composed of tuffs and limestones. According to drinking water standards, all of the samples exceed the tolerance limit for As. Copper, Mn, Zn and Li values are enriched but do not exceed the drinking water standards. Sulfate, Al and Fe concentrations are above the drinking water standard for the groundwater samples.     

Calcio-carbonatite melts and metasomatism in the mantle beneath Mt. Vulture (Southern Italy)

At Mt. Vulture volcano (Basilicata, Italy) calcite globules (5–150 μm) are hosted by silicate glass pools or veins cross-cutting amphibole-bearing, or more common spinel-bearing mantle xenoliths and xenocrysts. The carbonate globules are rounded or elongated and are composed of a mosaic of 2–20 μm crystals, with varying optical orientation. These features are consistent with formation from a quenched calciocarbonatite melt. Where in contact with carbonate amphibole has reacted to form fassaitic pyroxene. Some of these globules contain liquid/gaseous CO₂ bubbles and sulphide inclusions, and are pierced by quench microphenocrysts of silicate phases. The carbonate composition varies from calcite to Mg-calcite (3.8–5.0 wt.% MgO) both within the carbonate globules and from globule to globule. Trace element contents of the carbonate, determined by LAICPMS, are similar to those of carbonatites worldwide including ΣREE up to 123 ppm. The Sr–Nd isotope ratios of the xenolith carbonate are similar to the extrusive carbonatite and silicate rocks of Mt. Vulture testifying to derivation from the same mantle source. Formation of immiscibile silicate–carbonatite liquids within mantle xenoliths occurred via disequilibrium immiscibility during their exhumation.     

Application of hydrogeochemistry to uranium exploration in the pine creek geosyncline, northern territory, Australia

In the Pine Creek Geosyncline, fast moving, annually recharged, low-salinity ground waters dissolve uranium- and magnesium-enriched gangue minerals from mineralized aquifer rocks. The level of dissolved uranium depends on prevailing pH, Eh, salinity and degree of adsorption, which limits its effectiveness as an exploration indicator. Near each known deposit, leaching of magnesium-enriched gangue minerals produces ground waters with very similar major-element concentration plots, the shape of which constitutes a mineralized aquifer “signature”. Gangue minerals also supply high levels of Mg²⁺ (expressed as NMg = [Mg²⁺]/[Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ + Na⁺ + K⁺] in milliequivalents per litre) to contained ground waters, NMg > 0.8 being common in ground waters from mineralized aquifers at each Pine Creek Geosyncline deposit. Data from Ranger One No. 3 ore body illustrates how progressive mixing of waters from mineralized and unmineralized aquifers causes graded reductions in NMg, which, when plotted onto a ground plan, delineate a hydrogeochemical aureole.High NMg (> 0.8) coincides with high uranium concentration (> 20 μg/l of U) in ground waters near Nabarlek and Ranger. Because pH-Eh conditions in aquifers at Jabiluka depress uranium solution, < 10 μg/l of U is present, although NMg values are generally > 0.8. To date NMg has always been < 0.8 in nonmineralized aquifer waters, whereas uranium may be > 50 μg/l in ground waters from felsic igneous aquifers, which can be identified as uneconomic by low (< 0.4) NMg, and by a fixed relationship between uranium and co-leached species such as F^- and soluble salts.Measurements of pH, Eh, salinity, Fe(II), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO₄, total carbonate, phosphate, F^-, Cu, Pb, Zn and U in waters from 48 percussion holes in and near the Koongarra ore bodies have been related to mineralogy recorded in drill logs. The composition of waters from 20 holes near and along strike from known mineralization, fitted the mineralized aquifer “signature”, had NMg > 0.8 and uranium up to 4100 μ/l. These data confirm the use in this region of NMg as a hydrogeochemical indicator of uranium mineralization; they also indicate additional zones of possible mineralization.     

Comments on: Carbonatites in a subduction system: The Pleistocene alvikites from Mt. Vulture (southern Italy) by d'Orazio et al., (2007)

[D'Orazio, M., Innocenti, F., Tonarini, S., Doglioni, C., 2007. Carbonatites in a subduction system: the Pleistocene alvikites from Mt. Vulture (southern Italy). Lithos 98, 313–334] describe a new finding of alvikite Ca-carbonatite at Vulture. They stress its importance as being the first carbonatite to be discovered in a subduction environment. They suggest that this rock is different from the other Italian carbonatites, considered as ‘rocks sharing a carbonatitic affinity’, which are radiogenic and chemically diluted by addition of sedimentary limestone. They note that Vulture ‘alvikite’ is not diluted and is very unradiogenic with respect to other Italian carbonatites. However, they maintain that Vulture ‘alvikite’ carbonate is derived from subducted limestones. We present an account of the field relationships relating to the above-mentioned rocks, setting the geological and petrographic records straight and describing pyroclastic rocks. We did not find that these rocks are formed from alvikite dykes or lava, but instead recognised them to be a continuous blanket of ‘flaggy’, welded tuff. We found that the rocks consist of physically separated melilitite and carbonatite juvenile lapilli settled into a carbonatite ash matrix form the rock. We disagree with the geochemical interpretation of the rock by [D'Orazio, M., Innocenti, F., Tonarini, S., Doglioni, C., 2007. Carbonatites in a subduction system: the Pleistocene alvikites from Mt. Vulture (southern Italy). Lithos 98, 313–334], and are particularly concerned by their conclusion of its carbonate origin. We remark on the rock's geodynamic assignment in the frame of an extensional tectonic setting, also referring to the other Italian carbonatite occurrences. We reject any ad hoc modified subduction as a direct source of Vulture and Italian carbonatites.     

Interpretation of gamma-ray logs: The distribution of uranium in carbonate platform

High gamma-radioactivity in carbonates is usually ascribed to uranium of detrital minerals and organic matter, and to thorium and potassium of clays. The present study based on Urgonian marls and marly limestones (France) shows that some of the most radioactive values correspond instead to some ‘pure’ limestones. These peaks are generally associated with a sequence boundary or a maximum flooding surface. Low-level γ-spectrometry and ICP–MS analyses show that although high radioactivities are mostly associated with uranium, there is no obvious correlation between uranium enrichment and lithology. Also, correlation between high radioactivity and argillaceous beds might not be systematic. To cite this article: M.C. Raddadi et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Nature and genesis of a carbonatite-associated fluorite deposit at Speewah, East Kimberley region, Western Australia

Summary The Speewah fluorite deposit (>2.28Mt at 25.5% CaF₂) is sited adjacent to the crustal-scale Greenvale Fault on the western side of the Halls Creek Orogen, in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Host rocks are Palaeoproterozoic sedimentary rocks, dolerite and granophyre, Early Cambrian basalt, and the Yungul carbonatite. The deposit comprises mainly fluorite–quartz veins associated with lesser barite, sulfides and calcite, controlled by NNE–SSW and N–S brittle faults and fractures. Cross-cutting field relationships indicate that the fluorite veins were deposited post Early Cambrian.Fluorite–quartz vein textures, including colloform banding and comb texture, combined with microthermometric data from primary fluid inclusions, indicate that fluorite was deposited by the incremental infill of open-space structures in an epizonal, and probably epithermal, environment (<160°C) from complex, Li–Ca–Mg-rich, highly saline ore-fluids.The Yungul carbonatite and intimately-associated replacement-type fluorite have similar levels of REE enrichment and identical chondrite-normalised HREE patterns. Samarium and neodymium isotopic analyses of the fluorite indicate extreme differentiation of the ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio, from 0.0709 to 0.6918. These Sm–Nd isotopic data correspond to a mineral isochron with an age of 122±24Ma, interpreted to represent the age of fluorite deposition.Based on the potentially magmatic fluid composition, the replacement-type fluorite within the carbonatite, the similar HREE patterns of fluorite and carbonatite, and direct, if imprecise, isotopic dating of the fluorite, which confirms that fluorite mineralization is younger than the Early Cambrian basalts, the Speewah fluorite deposit is interpreted to be genetically related to the Yungul carbonatite. The large fluorite resource cannot have been derived from the exposed, low-volume carbonatite dyke. Rather, it must have been sourced from a larger carbonatite body at depth, whose presence is implied from basement-derived xenocrystic zircons in the Yungul carbonatite.     

Uranium in spring water and bryophytes at basin creek in central idaho

Arkosic sandstones and conglomerates of Tertiary age beneath the Challis Volcanics of Eocene age at Basin Creek, 10 km northeast of Stanley, Idaho, contain uranium-bearing vitrainized carbon fragments. The economic potential of these sandstones and conglomerates is currently being assessed. Springs abound at the contacts of rock units, and water from these springs supports abundant growths of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). Water from 22 springs and associated bryophytes were sampled; two springs were found to contain apparently anomalous concentrations (normalized) of uranium — as much as 6.5 μg/L (ppb) in water and 1800 μg/g (ppm) in ash of mosses. Moss samples from both springs also contained anomalous concentrations of arsenic, and one contained highly anomalous amounts of beryllium. Water from a third spring contained slightly anomalous amounts of uranium, and two species of mosses at the spring contained anomalous uranium (400 and 700 μg/g) and high levels of both cadmium and lead. Water from a fourth spring was normal for uranium (0.18 μg/L), but the moss from the water contained a moderate uranium level and highly anomalous concentrations of lead, germanium, and thallium.These results suggest that, in the Basin Creek area, moss sampling at springs may give a more reliable indication of uranium occurrence than would water sampling. The reason for this may be the ability of mosses to concentrate uranium and its associated pathfinder elements and to integrate uranium fluctuations that occur in the spring water over any period of time.     

Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Geochemistry of the Amba Dongar Carbonatite Complex, Gujarat, India

A carbon and oxygen isotope survey based on 42 samples from the Amba Dongar carbonatite complex of Gujarat, India, indicates that the magmatic differentiation series sövite → alvikite → ankeritic carbonatite is beset with a distinct isotope trend characterized by a moderate rise in ¹³C coupled with a sizeable increase in ¹⁸O. From an average of −4.6 ± 0.4 ‰ [PDB] for the least differentiated (coarse) sövite member, δ¹³C values slowly increase in the alvikite (−3.7 ± 0.6 ‰) and ankeritic fractions (−3.0 ± 1.1 ‰), whereas δ¹⁸O rises from 10.3 ± 1.7 ‰ [SMOW] to 17.5 ± 5.8 ‰ over the same sequence, reaching extremes between 20 and 28 ‰ in the latest generation of ankeritic carbonatite. While an apparent correlation between δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O over the δ¹⁸O range of 7–13 ‰ conforms with similar findings from other carbonatite complexes and probably reflects a Rayleigh fractionation process, the observed upsurge of ¹⁸O notably in the ankeritic member is demonstrably related to a late phase of low-temperature hydrothermal activity involving large-scale participation of ¹⁸O-depleted groundwaters. As a whole, the Amba Dongar carbonatite province displays the characteristic ¹³C/¹²C label of deep-seated (primordial) carbon, reflecting the carbon isotope composition of the subcontinental upper mantle below the Narmada Rift Zone of the Indian subcontinent.     

Transport of trace elements under different seasonal conditions: Effects on the quality of river water in a Mediterranean area

Concentrations of total and dissolved elements were determined in 35 water samples collected from rivers in Sardinia, a Mediterranean island in Italy. The overall composition did not change for waters sampled in both winter and summer (i.e., January at high-flow condition and June at low-flow condition), but the salinity and concentrations of the major ions increased in summer. Concentrations of elements such as Li, B, Mn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba and U were higher in summer with only small differences between total and dissolved (i.e., in the fraction <0.4 μm) concentrations. The fact that these elements are mostly dissolved during low flow periods appears to be related to the intensity of water–rock interaction processes that are enhanced when the contribution of rainwater to the rivers is low, that is during low-flow conditions. In contrast, the concentrations of Al and Fe were higher in winter during high flow with total concentrations significantly higher than dissolved concentrations, indicating that the total amount depends on the amount of suspended matter. In waters filtered through 0.015 μm pore-size filters, the concentrations of Al and Fe were much lower than in waters filtered through 0.4 μm pore-size filters, indicating that the dissolved fraction comprises very fine particles or colloids. Also, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were generally higher in waters collected during the high-flow condition, with much lower concentrations in 0.015 μm pore-size filtered waters; this suggests aqueous transport via adsorption onto very fine particles. The rare earth elements (REE) and Th dissolved in the river waters display a wide range in concentrations (∑REE: 0.1–23 μg/L; Th: <0.005–0.58 μg/L). Higher REE and Th concentrations occurred at high flow. The positive correlation between ∑REE and Fe suggests that the REE are associated with very fine particles (>0.015 and <0.4 μm); the abundance of these particles in the river controls the partitioning of REE between solution and solid phases.Twenty percent of the water samples had dissolved Pb and total Hg concentrations that exceeded the Italian guidelines for drinking water (>10 μg/L Pb and >1 μg/L Hg). The highest concentrations of these heavy metals were observed at high-flow conditions and they were likely due to the weathering of mine wastes and to uncontrolled urban wastes discharged into the rivers.     

Uranium in Phosphorites

The uranium concentration in phosphorites on continents and modern seafloor varies from 0.nto n· 10²ppm (average 75 ppm). The average uranium concentration is 4–48 ppm in Precambrian and Cambrian deposits, 20–90 ppm in Paleozoic and Jurassic deposits, 40–130 ppm in Late Cretaceous–Paleogene deposits, 30–130 ppm in Neogene deposits, and 30–110 ppm in Quaternary (including Holocene) deposits. On the whole, the variation range is almost similar for phosphorites of different ages. The U/P₂O₅ratio in phosphorites ranges from less than unity to 24 · 10^–4(average 3.2 · 10^–4). Major phosphorite deposits of the world with ore reserves of approximately 250 Gt (or 58 Gt P₂O₅) contain up to 19 Mt of uranium. Uranium is present in phosphorites in the tetra- and hexavalent, i.e., U(IV) and U(VI) forms, and their ratio is highly variable. At the early diagenetic stage of the formation of marine phosphorites in a reductive environment, U(VI) diffuses from the near-bottom water into sediments. It is consequently reduced and precipitated as submicroscopic segregations of uranium minerals (mainly uraninite) that are probably absorbed by phosphatic material. During the subsequent reaction between phosphorites and aerated water and the weathering in a subaerial environment, uranium is partly oxidized and lost. The uranium depletion also occurs during catagenesis owing to a more complete crystallization of calcium phosphate and replacement of nonphosphatic components.     

Hydrochemistry and isotope compositions of groundwater from the Shihongtan sandstone-hosted uranium deposit, Xinjiang, NW China

Groundwaters and surface water in the Shihongtan sandstone-hosted U ore district, Xinjiang, NW China, were sampled and analyzed for their major-, and trace element concentrations and oxygen, hydrogen, boron and strontium isotope compositions in order to assess the possible origins of the waters and water–rock interactions that occurred in the deep aquifer system. The waters in the study district have been grouped into three hydrochemical facies: Facies 1, potable spring-water, is a pH neutral (7.0), Na–Ca–HCO₃ type water with low total dissolved solids (TDS; 0.2 g/l, fresh) and has δ¹⁸O of − 8.3‰, δD of − 48.2‰,δ¹¹B of 1.5‰, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70627. Facies 2 groundwaters are mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (pH of 6.5–8.0, mean 7.3), Na–Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ type waters with moderate TDS (8.2 g/l–17.2 g/l, mean 9.3 g/l, brackish) and haveδ¹⁸O values in the − 5.8‰ to − 9.3‰ range (mean − 8.1‰), δD values in the − 20.8‰ to − 85.5‰ range (mean − 47.0‰),δ¹¹B values in the + 9.5‰ to + 39.1‰ range (mean + 17.1‰), and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values in the 0.70595 to 0.70975 range (mean 0.70826). Facies 3, Aiting Lake water, is a mildly alkaline (pH = 7.4), Na–Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄ type water with the highest TDS (249.1 g/l, brine) and has δ¹⁸O of − 2.8‰, δD of − 45.8‰,δ¹¹B of 21.2‰, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70840. The waters from the study district show a systematic increase in major, trace element and TDS concentrations and δ¹¹B values along the pathway of groundwater migration which can only be interpreted in terms of water–rock interaction at depth and strong surface evaporation. The hydrochemical and isotopic data presented here confirm that the groundwaters in the Shihongtan ore district are the combined result of migration, water–rock interaction and mixing of meteoric water with connate waters contained in sediments.     

Mineralogy and petrology of the rauhaugites of the Mt Weld carbonatite complex of Western Australia

Summary The circa 2.06 Ga Mt Weld carbonatite complex of Western Australia intrudes an Archean greenstone sequence dominated by basic and ultrabasic metamorphosed igneous rocks. Carbonatites form the core of the complex and are surrounded by glimmerites. The dominant carbonatite is sövite and is intruded by rauhaugites and carbonate-rich veins. The present investigation examines the mineral chemistry and petrology of the layered rauhaugites. They are essentially composed of ferroan dolomite, mica, magnetite and apatite, with accessory amounts of pyrochlore, ilmenite, sphalerite, baddeleyite, pyrite, galena and minerals enriched in the REE. The micas consist of titan-phlogopite, low-Ti phlogopite and tetraferriphlogopite. It is proposed that the parental magma of the Mt Weld complex was a potassic, aillikitic lamprophyre.

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Mineralogie und Petrologie der Rauhaugite des Karbonatit Komplexes von Mt. Weld, West-Australien

Zusammenfassung Der circa 2,06 Ga alte Mt. Weld Karbonatit in West-Australien intrudiert eine archaische Grüngestein-Sequenz, die von metamorphosierten basischen und ultrabasischen Magmatiten dominiert wird. Karbonatite bilden die Kernzone des Komplexes und werden von Glimmeriten umgeben. Das am weitesten verbreitete Gestein des Karbonatites ist Sbvit, der wiederum von Rauhaugiten und Karbonat-reichen Gängen intrudiert wird. Diese Untersuchung befaßt sich mit der Mineralchemie und Petrologie der geschichteten Rauhaugite. Sie sind im wesentlichen aus eisenreichem Dolomit, Glimmer, Magnetit, und Apatit zusammengesetzt; dazu kommen als Akzessorien Pyrochlor, Envenii, Zinkblende, Baddeleyit, Pyrit, Bleiglanz und an seltenen Erden angereicherte Minerale. Die Glimmer bestehen aus Titan-Phlogopit, Phlogopit mit niedrigen Titange halten sowie Tetraferriphlogopit. Ein Kali-reicher ailikitischer Lamprophyr ist als Ausgangsmagma für den Mt. Weld-Komplex zu sehen.

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With 6 Figures     

The use of helium in mineral exploration

A literature review of the source and occurrence of helium shows that it can, under favorable conditions, lead to the discovery of radioactive ore deposits, oil and gas pools, and fracture zones associated with mineral occurrences. Analytical results show that anomalous helium is present in groundwaters and near uranium occurrences and thus can aid in the identification of uranium occurrences or prospective target areas for uranium exploration.     

Possible errors in helium analyses of soil gases by mass spectrometers having constant-pressure inlet systems

Published data suggest that soil gas helium concentrations of 5.28–5.34 ppm v/v over uranium and hydrocarbon deposits are significantly anomalous compared to the ambient atmospheric background of 5.24 ppm. However, analyses for helium by mass spectrometers having constant-pressure inlet systems, from which most of these data are derived, are subject to errors of equivalent magnitude. These errors arise when the major component composition of unknown and standard gases differ, for the different gases have different flow rates through the inlet system — relative rates being O₂ < dry air < water-saturated air < N₂ < CO₂ CH₄. Soil gas compositions can vary greatly and, compared to a dry air standard, the flow-rate of a water-saturated gas containing 10% biogenic CO₂ will increase, enhancing the apparent He content to 5.33 ppm. Accurate helium analyses can be achieved by using a constant-volume inlet and integrating the detector response over the period of the samples' passage through the detector.     

Is groundwater in the Tarkwa gold mining district of Ghana potable?

Hand-pump wells in the Tarkwa gold mining district and the geologically similar Bui area were chemically analysed and compared in an effort to determine whether groundwaters in the Tarkwa area have been affected by mining. Significant chemical differences attributed to mine water discharges have been observed in streams in the Tarkwa area. Groundwater chemistry from hand-pump wells in Tarkwa and Bui areas reveal similar hydrochemical facies, predominantly Ca–Na–Mg–HCO₃–Cl. However, except for SO₄^2–, ionic concentrations of groundwaters from Bui are greater than those from Tarkwa probably due to differences in (1) water availability during sedimentation (2) water-rock interactions and/or residence times for water. No demonstrable impact of mining on groundwaters from hand-pumped wells in the Tarkwa area has been noted. Hydrogeological inference suggests that the main streams which receive mine water discharges are both gaining and are groundwater divides. The overwhelming majority of population centres and mining operations are located on opposite sides of these groundwater divides, therefore, it is unlikely aquifers tapped for drinking by these communities would be affected by mining.     

Interaction between organic matter and trace metals in a uranium rich bog,Kern County,California, U.S.A.

Surface and groundwaters, plants and organic and inorganic components of sediments from a uranium rich bog in Kern County, California were studied to determine the mechanism of uranium entrapment and concentration.Spring waters which originate along a fault trace and contain elevated uranium concentrations (up to 293 μg/l) and other metals percolate through the waterlogged boggy meadow. Several approaches used to study the speciation of metals in the bog sediments indicate that U, unlike other metals, is predominantly associated with organic matter. In samples with high total organic carbon (>7%), uranium values range up to 1100 ppm. Analyses of organic constituents of the sediments show that humic substances, and not living plant material, are responsible for U entrapment and enrichment. Infra-red studies suggest that the mechanism of entrapment is complexation of the uranyl cation in groundwaters by car☐yl functional groups on the humic and fulvic acid molecules.Published experimental and thermodynamic data are reviewed and a mechanism to explain preferential enrichment of U over other trace metals is proposed for freshwater bog or marsh environments.