ISOTOPIC STUDY OF SOME COLORADO PLATEAU ORES

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1958 · Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.53.8.937· OSTI ID:4294645

Miller, D S; Kulp, J L

A number of selected uranium ore specimens from several localities have been analyzed for uranium and lead in both pitchblende and galena phases by isotope dilution techniques and the lead isotopic abundance determined. It is shown that the hypothesis of hydrothermal deposition of uranium accompanied by old radiogenic lead from the basement at one time about 60 m.y. ago does not satisfy the isotopic data. A new hypothesis is presented which requires local sources with high U/Th and U/Pb ratios, variable radon leakage, suitable ground water movement, and deposition at the site of H/sub 2/8 production at low temperature. This hypothesis can explain the age discordances and the lead isotope abundances in galena. It is possible from the isotopic data to have all deposition occurring within the last five million years but it does not preclude other periods of deposition such as in Larannide time. The isotopic ages are apparent ages only and bear no direct relation to the time of deposition. The isotopic ratios, however, provide information which may be used to restrict theories of origin. (auth)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-13-008813
• OSTI ID: 4294645
• Journal Information: Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists (U.S.), Journal Name: Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 53; ISSN ECGLA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE ESTIMATION
DEPOSITS
DILUTION
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY
GROUND WATER
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROLOGY
LEAD
LEAD SULFIDES
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADON
THORIUM
URANIUM
URANIUM ORES
URANIUM OXIDES