Uranium hydrogeochemical and stream sediment reconnaissance of the northern part of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5292485· OSTI ID:5292485

Morris, W A

During the spring and summer of 1976, 2144 water and water-transported sediment samples were collected from 1685 locations spread over an approximate 21,000 km/sup 2/ area of the northern end of the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming. All of the samples were analyzed for total uranium at the LASL, using standardized procedures and rigorous quality controls--the waters by fluorometry and the sediments (and those waters with >10 ppb uranium) by delayed-neutron counting. The 1178 water samples were collected from 111 streams, 19 natural ponds, 142 springs, 186 artificial ponds, and 720 wells. The 966 sediment samples were collected from 108 active streams, 415 dry streams, 20 wet natural ponds, 9 dry natural ponds, 131 flowing springs, 12 dry springs, 170 wet artificial ponds, and 101 dry artificial ponds. All of the field collection, treatment, and packaging of the samples was performed following strict LASL specifications. The uranium concentrations measured in the waters range from undetectable (<0.2 ppb) to 295.8 ppb and have a mean value of 7.3 ppb. The high uranium concentrations in the waters of this area are thought to be due primarily to a general abundance of readily soluble uranium in the Wasatch and Fort Union formations throughout the Powder River Basin. Those locations which have abnormally high uranium were examined more closely, and follow-up field examinations are recommended in the vicinity of some of these sites. The uranium content of the sediment samples ranges from 0.5 to 11.2 ppM and has a mean value of 3.4 ppM. Sample locations with anomalous uranium values were examined with respect to the local geology and other relevant factors, and an area believed to be favorable for a follow-up field investigation is indicated. A distinct correlation between the high uranium in waters and sediments and the Wasatch and Fort Union formations, which are associated with nearby producing uranium districts, is evident at several locations.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5292485
• Report Number(s): LA-6654-MS; GJBX-94(77)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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