Summary
Sandstone uranium deposits are well suited as analogs for SURF. These deposits typically occur as tabular or lensoid masses of uraniferous sandstone, commonly where the argillaceous mineral and organic content is high. Primary minerals consist of pitchblende and/or coffinite, with possibly some urano-organic phases as well. The ore is usually associated with authigenic ferromagnesian clay minerals, such as chlorite and/or authigenic illite and/or mixed layer smectite-illite; and with pyrite ± jordisite ± seleniferous species ± calcite. Organic matter is usually associated with the ore. The clay minerals in the ore zones are commonly vanadiferous.
The genesis of the sandstone uranium deposits is now fairly well understood and allows semi-quantitative estimates to be placed on behavior of analog-elements for many constituents of SURF (or HLW). Prior to mineralization, oxidized species of U, V, Se, Mo, As are carried together as oxyanions; these species precipitate in a restricted range of Eh-pH when reducing conditions are met. Concomitant with removal of these species, due to formation of reduced, insoluble species, several other elements of interest are concentrated in the ore zones as well. Chalcophile elements, such as Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, Cd, Sb, and others are fixed in authigenic sulfide phases, and the alkalis Rb, K, and Cs are fixed in the authigenic illite and illitic mixed layer clays. The alkaline earth elements Sr and Ba are commonly fixed in sulfate-rich rock. The rare earth elements (REE) are incorporated into authigenic clay minerals or into oxy-hydroxide phases.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References Cited
Brookins, D.G., 1984, Geochemical Aspects of Radioactive Waste Disposal: Springer-Verlag, New York, 345 p.
Brookins, D.G., 1983, Migration and retention of elements at the Oklo Natural Reactor: Environ. Geol. 4, p. 201–208.
Brookins, D.G., 1986, Geochemical behavior of antimony, arsenic, cadmium and thallium: Eh-pH diagrams for 25°C, 1 bar pressure: Chem. Geol., 54, p. 271–278.
Brookins, D.G., 1979, Uranium deposits of the Grants, New Mexico Mineral Belt (II): U.S. Dept. Energy Rept. BFEC 76–029E, 411 p.
Brookins, D.G., 1982, Geochemistry of clay minerals for uranium exploration in the Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: Mineral. Deposita 17, p. 37–53.
Brookins, D.G., 1976, Uranium deposits of the Grants, New Mexico Mineral Belt, U.S. Energy & Research Development Administration: Final Report GJ0–1636-1, 120 p.
Riese, W.C., 1980, The Mount Taylor uranium deposit, San Mateo, New Mexico: Unpub. Ph.D. Diss., University of New Mexico, 648 p.
Lee, M.J., 1976, Geochemistry of the sedimentary uranium deposits of the Grants Mineral Belt, southern San Juan Basin, New Mexico: Unpub. Ph.D. Diss., University of New Mexico, 241 p.
Delia Valle, R.S., 1981, Geochemical studies of the Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: Unpub. Ph.D. Diss., University of New Mexico, 64§p.
Lee, M.J., and Brookins, D.G., 1978, Rubidium-strontium minimum ages of sedimentation, uranium mineralization, and provenance, Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic), Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: Amer. Assoc. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 62, No. 9, p. 1673–1683.
Kharaka, Y., and Berry, R.A.F., 1973, Simultaneous flow of water and solutes through geological membranes - I. Experimental investigation: Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 37, p. 2577–2603.
Brookins, D.G., 1978, Eh-pH diagrams for elements from Z = 40 to Z = 52: Application to the Oklo natural reactor: Chem. Geol., 23, p. 324–342.
Delia Valle, R.S., and Brookins, D.G., 1983, Geochemical studies of the Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: in The Significance of Trace Elements in Solving Petrogenetic Problems and Controversies: (S.S. Augustithis, Ed.), Theophrastus Pub., Athens, p. 793–818.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Brookins, D.G. (1987). Sandstone Uranium Deposits : Analogues for Surf Disposal in Some Sedimentary Rocks. In: Côme, B., Chapman, N.A. (eds) Natural Analogues in Radioactive Waste Disposal. Radioactive Waste Management Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3465-8_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3465-8_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8051-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3465-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive