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Differential geochemical mobility of uranium, thorium, and potassium used as geologic environment indicators and explorations tools

Journal Article · · American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin
OSTI ID:60624
Uranium and potassium are easily leached from tuffaceous rocks, although thorium is not. Transport efficiency is higher for potassium than uranium. Uranium is immobilized by reduction or complexing. Potassium tends to be more thoroughly flushed, although it may be retained on clays and stabilized during diagenesis. Uranium and potassium tend to be separated during uranium precipitation. Organic-rich shales and uraniferous sandstones can be identified. Uranium-thorium-potassium contents determined by chemical analysis will differ from values obtained by gamma-ray spectroscopy, but these differences are informative with respect to the timing of geochemical mobility.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Texas, El Paso
OSTI ID:
60624
Report Number(s):
CONF-860624--
Journal Information:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, Journal Name: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 70; ISSN 0002-7464; ISSN AAPGBS
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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