Ground water geochemistry as a prospecting tool for uranium deposits in Pennsylvania
Ground waters in northeastern and eastern Pennsylvania were collected and analyzed to appraise their value in geochemical prospecting for U occurrences. Private wells, springs, and seepages near known U mineralization were sampled during the summer of 1976 and late spring of 1977. Field measurements of specific conductance, temperature, pH, Eh, DO were taken at each site. In the laboratory, the samples were analyzed for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, V, Zn, Cl, HCO/sub 3/, PO/sub 4/, and SO/sub 4/. Dissolved U was determined by fission track analysis. The dissolved U content of the northeastern samples ranged from less than 0.01 to 7.8 ppB with a mean of 1.5 ppB. The eastern samples contained from less than 0.01 to 1.2 ppB with a mean of 0.05 ppB. U and Rn anomalies were detected in two eastern samples. Because ground water flow in this area is predominantly fracture-controlled, the detection of occurrences is limited by the extent and abundance of permeable fractures intersecting and surrounding them. Sixteen anomalies were found in the northeastern region in zones previously recognized as anomalous by stream sediment analyses. Anomalies found east of Beaver Lake substantiate previous speculations that additional mineralization occurs in this area. In both regions, anomalies were found in samples having alkaline pH's and elevated dissolved solids and bicarbonate contents. Other than Rn, no pathfinders for U were identified.In most temperate climates, ground water prospecting for U is best practiced in conjunction with stream sediment analyses. In regions of highly anisotropic and shallow ground water flow, ground water and stream sediment sampling programs should probably be designed by watershed rather than according to an orthogonal grid arrangement.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-13-1659
- OSTI ID:
- 6407381
- Report Number(s):
- GJO-1659-4; GJBX-132(78)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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