The Main Factors of Uranium Accumulation in the Ishim Plain Saline Lakes (Western Siberia)

Hydrochemical analysis of the high-salinity lakes in the Ishim Plain (>250–300 g/L) located at the border with the Northern Kazakhstan uranium ore province is performed. The studies have shown that the main factor of concentration and redistribution of uranium in the lake basins of the Ishim Plain are the processes of intense salt deflation causing sanding of lakes and uranium depletion in the near-surface layer of the bottom deposits. The correlation between the hydroxide forms of uranium binding in the bottom lacustrine deposits of the Ishim Plain and the coffinite composition of the Semizbai deposit makes it possible to consider this province to be promising for the discovery of hydromineral uranium deposits.

     

Reaction of the ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>1 region to disturbances in October and November 2003 (analysis from Irkutsk digisonde measurements)

We consider the ionospheric response at heights of 120–220 km to geomagnetic disturbances in October and November 2003, which caused a strongly pronounced decrease in the electron content in the noted height range. For this disturbance period, using a technique of the authors, midday variations of the relative content of atomic and molecular oxygen at a height of 120 km were estimated. This estimation was performed with the help of ionospheric measurements (by a digital ionosonde) conducted at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences from 2003 to 2006. Comparison of these values with similar values from the mass spectrometer-incoherent scatter (MSIS)-86 model showed that our estimates during disturbance days were two times less. This study continues research into the field of using ionospheric measurements to estimate the relative gas composition of the thermosphere at heights below the maximum of the F2 layer.     

Uranium in saline lakes of Northwestern Mongolia

Analysis of major- and trace-element compositions of water in hypersaline soda closed basin lakes of Northwestern Mongolia and Chuya basin (Gorny Altai) shows high enrichment in ²³⁸U (up to 1 mg/l). Proceeding from new data, uranium accumulation in water has been attributed to (i) location of the lakes and their watersheds in potential provinces of U-bearing rocks and (ii) uranium complexing with carbonate in presence of carbonate (bicarbonate) anions. Among the explored hypersaline soda lakes of the area, the greatest uranium resources are stored in Lake Hyargas Nuur (about 6000 ton).     

Electron concentration variations in the F1-region during magnetic storms in a low solar activity period

Vertical sensing data obtained with the help of DPS-4 digisondes in Irkutsk and Yakutsk are used to analyze the response of the F1-layer to magnetic disturbances in May 2005. It is found that the electron concentration is decreased at heights of 150–200 km during magnetic storms, and the amplitude of this negative disturbance increases with height. This effect is more distinct in Yakutsk than Irkutsk. The main gas constituents of the thermosphere during disturbed periods are estimated.     

Geochemistry and chemical evolution of saline lakes of Western Mongolia

This paper presents data on the major and trace element composition of saline lakes of western Mongolia. The main geochemical types of lakes distinguished in the study are soda-, chloride-, and sulfaterich lakes. Lake water equilibria with major carbonate, sulfate, chloride, and other rock-forming minerals were calculated. The results show that the major factors controlling the formation of each lake type include evaporation and water-rock interaction processes, and the latter factor plays a critical role in freshwater and soda lakes and only a minor role in chloride lakes. Special attention was given to the soda lakes and the factors controlling lake water chemistry.     

Uranium in the mineralized lakes of Altai Krai

Data on the physicochemical properties (pH, Eh, salinity) and content of U and other trace elements (As, Li, B, Br, I, Sr) are provided for the mineralized lakes of the Kulundinskaya steppe of Altai Krai. The sodic lakes of the region are characterized by higher U²³⁸ contents (up to 4 mg/l). The U contents in the lake waters are positively correlated with the sum of carbonate and hydrocarbonate ions and the pH of waters and are negatively correlated with salinity. These data confirm the presence of an economic U-bearing zone of the ground reservoir oxidation located along the eastern slope of the Platovskoe uplift in the northwestern direction along the boundary with Kazakhstan.     

Response of some ionospheric parameters to geomagnetic disturbances at heights below the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>2-layer maximum in September and April 2005

An analysis of ionospheric data obtained during geomagnetic disturbances in April and September 2005 is performed in order to obtain information on the behavior of some ionospheric parameters at heights of the F1 layer. The results of measurements by an Irkutsk digisonde at hourly and 5- and 15-min time intervals were used. It is shown that in September all parameters very actively responded to geomagnetic disturbances in short measurement time intervals. It is also shown that the electron concentration behaves more stable at lower heights of the F1 layer both during strong and moderate disturbances.