Hydrogeochemical and stream sediment detailed geochemical survey for Sonora Pass, California

Technical Report · Thu Jul 31 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5143935

Butz, T R; French, J H; Bard, C S; Leimer, H W; Helgerson, R N; Grimes, J G; Pritz, P M

Results of the Sonora Pass, California, detailed geochemical survey are reported. Field and laboratory data are reported for 15 groundwater and 701 stream sediment samples. Statistical and areal distributions of uranium and possible uranium-related variables are displayed. A generalized geologic map of the area is provided, and pertinent geologic factors which may be of significance in evaluating the potential for uranium mineralization are brieflty discussed. Analysis showed concentrations of uranium up to 38 ppB. High uranium values in groundwater producing from Mesozoic granitic rocks are associated with high values for sulfate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, strontium, and the sodium-chloride ratio. High uranium values in water derived from Miocene volcanic rocks are associated with anomalous amounts of sulfate, arsenic, cobalt, and zinc. Anomalous uranium values in stream sediment occur in a northeast-southwest trending zone in the central portion of the survey area, in the northwestern portion of the survey area, downstream from the Juniper uranium mine, and elsewhere in small areal trends. Anomalous thorium concentrations follow a somewhat different trend, with values greater than or equal to 41 ppM occurring primarily in the northeastern section of the survey area. High U-FL, Un-NT, thorium, lithium, cerium, and yttrium values are found in sediment derived from granitic rocks; high values for scandium, strontium, barium, calcium, and cobalt are found in sediment derived from Miocene volcanic rocks; and high copper, nickel, zirconium, arsenic, and chromium values are found in Pliocene volcanic rocks. An overlay of greater than or equal to 84th percentile areal plots of U-FL, U-NT, strontium, cobalt, magnesium, titanium, lithium, yttrium, and cerium indicates a northeast-southwest trend for these variables, which roughly follows the distribution of lithologies in the area.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5143935
• Report Number(s): GJBX-184(80); K/UR-41
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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