Geochemistry of uranium in sediments of the Bohai Gulf,China

The following conclusions can be drawn from the work reported in this paper:

1. Sixteen samples were determined for uranium by spectrophotometric method. The uranium content in the sea floor sediments of the Bohai Gulf ranges from 1.6 to 6.3 ppm, with an average of 4.3 ppm.
2. Statistical data show close relationship between U concentration and grain size. Relatively larger amount of uranium was found accumulated in mud than in sand. The bulk of uranium is assumed to be derived from terrestrial detrital minerals.
3. A positive correlation between U and Fe is recognized. Similar relation also can be seen between U and Al. The plot of U concentration vs. Fe is linear, and can be expressed by the linear regression equation:Y=?0.37+1.35X. The plot of U against Al gives an equation ofY=?2.48+1.01X.
4. The average U/C_org. ratio for these sediments is 7×10^?4, and the average ratios of U/P, U/Mn, and U/CaCO₃ are 100×10^?4, 50×10^?4 and 2×10^?4, respectively.
5. Compared with the abundances of other shelf sediments, the average concentration of U in the area under consideration is close to that of sediments on the selves of Japan and the Gulf of Mexico, and the Black Sea. Uranium concentration in the Bohai Gulf sediments is comparable to that of the continental crust, but differs from that of deep-sea clay.