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U.S. Department of Energy
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THE INTERPRETATION OF AGE MEASUREMENTS ON THE WITWATERSRAND URANINITE

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4284735
The isotopic ages of certain uraninite concentrates from the Witwatersrand System have been used by other workers as evidence supporting a detritul origin of the uraninite. This argument is critically examined, in the light of new isotopic measurements. There is strong evidence that the minute uraninite grains have suffered extensive loss of radiogenic lead, after their incorporation in the Witwatersrand System. It is concluded that, at the present time, age measurements on the Witwatersrand uraninites do not have a critical hearing on their detrital or epigenetic origin. More accurate data are required concerning the age of initial crystallization of the uraninite and the age of deposition of this system. (auth)
Research Organization:
National Physical Research Lab., C.S.I.R., Pretoria; Univ. of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
NSA Number:
NSA-13-006608
OSTI ID:
4284735
Report Number(s):
A/CONF.15/P/1110
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English