Back to Search Start Over

Uranium Mineralization of Fossil Wood

Authors :
George E. Mustoe
Source :
Geosciences, Volume 10, Issue 4, Geosciences, Vol 10, Iss 133, p 133 (2020)
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2020.

Abstract

Uraniferous sandstone deposits commonly resulted when uranium in groundwater precipitated in reducing environments caused by degradation of ancient wood and organic debris. However, the mineralogy of uranium in fossil wood has received relatively little study. Previous microscopic observations of petrified wood from a few uranium mines have demonstrated that uranium in fossil wood primarily involves the oxide mineral uraninite or the silicate mineral coffinite, often in association with metal sulfides such as chalcopyrite. These observations are applicable to primary ore zones that are located below the water table, where oxidation is inhibited. New analyses utilizing scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence (SEM/EDS) reveal that fossil wood from oxidized ore zones may contain a diverse variety of uranium minerals, including carnotite, tyuyamunite, and zippeite, as well as various vanadate and sulfate minerals. Uranium-bearing common opalized wood and stratiform common opal from two prospects in Nevada, USA, contain no identifiable uranium minerals. Instead, the element is dispersed in trace amounts within the opal.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20763263
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Geosciences
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....1b9aaf4e94bd1bf229f53019d39584ce
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10040133