Scanning-electron-microscope investigation of paragenesis of uranium deposits, Mount Taylor and elsewhere, Grants Mineral Belt

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Mem. - N.M. Bur. Mines Miner. Resour.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6135230

Riese, W C ^[1]; Brookins, D G; Della Valle, R S

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1. Gulf Mineral Resources Co., Albuquerque, NM

Scanning-electron-microscope study of authigenic minerals in the Westwater Canyon Member of the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic) indicates that compositional variations exist within and adjacent to sandstone-type uranium deposits. Montmorillonite is the dominant clay mineral downdip of the orebody; chlorite is enriched in the ore zones, and kaolinite and altered montmorillonite are enriched in ground updip of the ore. The data also suggest that clay minerals, not pyrite or hematite, may locally be the iron-bearing species of importance. While it is not possible to positively identify organic materials in SEM (scanning-electron microscope) photomicrographs, materials deduced to be organic in nature postdate the beginning of authigenic clay formation. This implies that these materials may be carriers of uranium in the ground-water system from which the ore deposits precipitated. Identification of patterns of clay-mineral alteration and the role that organic materials might play as transporting media could significantly alter exploration techniques. These patterns may be especially useful tools in areas where the orebodies are known to be removed from the iron-species redox interface.

• OSTI ID: 6135230
• Report Number(s): CONF-7905120-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Mem. - N.M. Bur. Mines Miner. Resour.; (United States) Journal Volume: 38
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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050200 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Exploration-- (-1987)
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM SILICATES
CHLORITE MINERALS
CLAYS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
KAOLINITE
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MINERAL RESOURCES
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
MONTMORILLONITE
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
ORES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOUTHWEST REGION
URANIUM DEPOSITS
URANIUM ORES
USA