The provenance of Australian uranium ore concentrates by elemental and isotopic analysis
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Date
2008-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Elemental and isotopic ratio analyses of U ore concentrate samples, from the 3 operating U mining facilities in Australia, were carried out to determine if significant variations exist between their products, thereby allowing the U ore concentrate's origin to be identified. Elemental analyses were conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Lead isotope ratios were measured using ICP-MS and U isotope analyses were conducted using thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). Minute quantities of sample, such as that obtained from a swipe, were also examined for elemental concentrations using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The results of multivariate statistical analysis show clear patterns in the trace elemental composition of the processed U ores, indicating that it is possible to use this feature as a unique identifier of an Australian U ore concentrate's source. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses also allow individual particles to be differentiated using this 'fingerprinting' technique. Isotope ratios determined using TIMS reveal that there is a significant difference in the n(U-234)/n(U-238) isotope ratio between the U ore concentrate from each mine. © 2007, Elsevier Ltd.
Description
Keywords
Uranium ores, Australia, Isotope ratio, Mass spectroscopy, Uranium mines, Multi-element analysis
Citation
Keegan, E., Richter, S., Kelly, I., Wong, H., Gadd, P., Kuehn, H., & Alonso-Munoz, A. (2008). The provenance of Australian uranium ore concentrates by elemental and isotopic analysis. Applied Geochemistry, 23(4), 765-777. doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2007.12.004