The major and trace element concentrations of a global suite of unaltered uraninite samples from five distinct deposit types; sandstone, intrusive, unconformity, vein, and metamorphic have been characterized. The spatial distribution and concentrations of major and trace elements (U, Pb, Th, Al, As, Ca, Fe, K, Mn, P, Si, S, Ti, V, Y, and Zr) were qualitatively determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and subsequently quantified by electron microprobe analysis (EMP). The concentration of rare earth elements (REEs) and other trace elements, which are potentially significant depending on the deposit type (e.g. W, Bi, and Mo) were examined by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Following the chemical fingerprinting of the unaltered uraninite samples, a set of altered uraninites from the same locations were analyzed employing the same methods. The comparison of altered and unaltered uraninites from the same location allows for the evaluation of major and trace element mobility under various environmental conditions, such as oxidation state, over geological time. This study may provide valuable insights into the potential behavior of elements during the aging and corrosion of uranium oxide concentrate in nuclear fuel pellets and hence applicable for nuclear forensic investigations.

Chemical characterization of altered and unaltered uraninites from various geological settings

254th National Meeting (2017)

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