Partitioning and leaching behavior of actinides and rare earth elements in a zirconolite-bearing hydrothermal vein system
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Cambridge University Press/Springer Nature
Abstract
Chemical extraction techniques and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the distribution and behavior of actinides and rare earth elements (REE) in hydrothermal veins at Adamello, (Italy). The six samples discussed in this paper were from the phlogopite zone, which is one of the major vein zones. The samples were similar in their bulk chemical composition, mineralogy, and leaching behavior of major elements (determined by extraction with 9M HCl). However, there were major differences in the extractability of REE and actinides. The most significant influence on the leaching characteristics appears to be the amounts of U, Th and REE incorporated in resistant host phases. Uranium and Th are very highly enriched in zirconolite grains. Actinides were more readily leached from samples with a higher content of U and Th, relative to the amount of zirconolite. The results show that REE and actinides present in chemically resistant minerals can be retained under aggressive leaching conditions. © 2007 Materials Research Society
Description
MRS Proceedings were formerly published by Cambridge University Press and are currently published by Springer Nature. Print version held by ANSTO Library at DDC 621.4838/41. The citation shows author R Giere. The correct spelling of his surname is Gieré.
Keywords
Scanning electron microscopy, Actinides, Rare earths, Leaching, Zirconolite, Italy, Mineralogy, Uranium, Thorium
Citation
Payne, T.E., Giere, R., Hart, K. P., Lumpkin, G. R., & McGlinn, P. J. (2007). Partitioning and leaching behavior of actinides and rare earth elements in a zirconolite-bearing hydrothermal vein system. In Dunn, D., Poinssot, C. & Begg, B. (eds), Proceedings of the Symposium on Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXX, Boston, MA, USA, November 27- December 1, 2006, Volume 95, (pp. 347-352). doi:10.1557/PROC-985-0985-NN11-05