Geochemical and sedimentologic problems of uranium deposits of Texas Gulf Coastal Plain
Exploration targets for sedimentary uranium ore bodies in the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain include: (1) favorable source rocks for uranium, (2) favorable conditions for uranium leached and transported out of the source rocks, and (3) favorable geologic characteristics of the host rocks for the accumulation of uranium of economic importance. However, data available from known deposits point out more questions of research than answers. Mobility and accumulation of uranium of economic importance in host rocks are controlled by at least three factors - physical, chemical-mineralogic, and hydrologic - that interact dynamically. Physical factors include the nature (viscosity) of the transporting fluid, the permeability of host rock with respect to transporting solution in terms of medium rate, potential differentials, and temperature of the uranium-bearing solution in the macroenvironment. Chemical-mineralogic factors include the ionic strength of solution, chemical activities of species in the solution, chemical activities of pore water in host rocks, surface activity and surface energy of mineral constituents in host rocks, solubilities of ore and gangue minerals, pH, and Eh in the microenvironment. Hydrologic factors include fluctuation of the depth of the oxidation-reduction interfaces in the paleoaquifer host rocks, and their subsequent modification by present hydrologic factors. Geochemical mechanisms that are likely to have been in operation for uranium accumulation are precipitation, adsorption, and/or complexing. 4 figures.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station
- OSTI ID:
- 5780699
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 62:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Implications of the geology and geochemistry of the Maclean Five uranium deposit, Three Rivers, Texas
Catahoula formation of the Texas coastal plain: origin, geochemical evolution, and characteristics of uranium deposits
Related Subjects
TEXAS
URANIUM DEPOSITS
GEOCHEMISTRY
ADSORPTION
COASTAL REGIONS
ECONOMICS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDROLOGY
MINERALOGY
PRECIPITATION
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
CHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
050100* - Nuclear Fuels- Reserves
Exploration
& Mining