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Disequilibrium of uranium mineralization – a case study of Devri area, Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, India


Affiliations
1 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Central Region, Civil Lines, Nagpur 440 001, India
2 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, North Eastern Region, Nongmynsong, Shillong 793 00, India
3 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500 016, India
 

Disequilibrium in the uranium series is a vital parameter to ascertain the state of equilibrium between uranium group (parent uranium) and its daughters, i.e. radium group of elements. The 238U isotope of uranium is the parent of 14 daughter isotopes forming the uranium series. The first five isotopes of 238U series, i.e. 238U, 234Th, 234Pa, 234U and 230Th form uranium group and the sixth to last isotopes of 238U series, i.e. 226Ra, 222Rn, 218Po, 214Pb, 214Bi, 214Po, 210Pb, 210Bi, 210Po and 206Pb form radium group. Isotopes in the uranium and radium group usually remain in equilibrium within the group, but disequilibrium commonly exists between the two groups. In an open system, the mobility of radium is significant due to radon gas produced as a daughter element in the radium series. Anomalies with excess radium are commonly found around springs and seepages, whereas uranium anomalies are usually found under reducing environments. A study was carried out in Devri area, Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, India, to decipher the state of disequilibrium in the area by analysing the drill core samples (n = 4470) from 43 boreholes. This study has revealed a strong disequilibrium (65%) in favour of the parent uranium. This disequilibrium is due to cycles of dissolution and deposition of parent uranium; aided by the movement of groundwater and diverse geochemical behaviour of different radionuclides. In addition, loss of radon from the system might have also contributed to the disequilibrium in favour of the parent uranium. Linear regression coefficient between U3O8 (parent uranium) and RaEq.(U3O8) was calculated to be 0.82. Strong disequilibrium in favour of the parent uranium will enhance the uranium ore reserve in Devri area.

Keywords

Beta-Gamma Method, Disequilibrium Factor, Linear Regression Coefficient, Radium Group, Uranium Mineralization.
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  • Disequilibrium of uranium mineralization – a case study of Devri area, Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract Views: 262  |  PDF Views: 128

Authors

Dheeraj Singh
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Central Region, Civil Lines, Nagpur 440 001, India
U. P. Sharma
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, North Eastern Region, Nongmynsong, Shillong 793 00, India
G. B. Rout
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Begumpet, Hyderabad 500 016, India

Abstract


Disequilibrium in the uranium series is a vital parameter to ascertain the state of equilibrium between uranium group (parent uranium) and its daughters, i.e. radium group of elements. The 238U isotope of uranium is the parent of 14 daughter isotopes forming the uranium series. The first five isotopes of 238U series, i.e. 238U, 234Th, 234Pa, 234U and 230Th form uranium group and the sixth to last isotopes of 238U series, i.e. 226Ra, 222Rn, 218Po, 214Pb, 214Bi, 214Po, 210Pb, 210Bi, 210Po and 206Pb form radium group. Isotopes in the uranium and radium group usually remain in equilibrium within the group, but disequilibrium commonly exists between the two groups. In an open system, the mobility of radium is significant due to radon gas produced as a daughter element in the radium series. Anomalies with excess radium are commonly found around springs and seepages, whereas uranium anomalies are usually found under reducing environments. A study was carried out in Devri area, Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh, India, to decipher the state of disequilibrium in the area by analysing the drill core samples (n = 4470) from 43 boreholes. This study has revealed a strong disequilibrium (65%) in favour of the parent uranium. This disequilibrium is due to cycles of dissolution and deposition of parent uranium; aided by the movement of groundwater and diverse geochemical behaviour of different radionuclides. In addition, loss of radon from the system might have also contributed to the disequilibrium in favour of the parent uranium. Linear regression coefficient between U3O8 (parent uranium) and RaEq.(U3O8) was calculated to be 0.82. Strong disequilibrium in favour of the parent uranium will enhance the uranium ore reserve in Devri area.

Keywords


Beta-Gamma Method, Disequilibrium Factor, Linear Regression Coefficient, Radium Group, Uranium Mineralization.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv120%2Fi11%2F1753-1757