Uranium in the environment: a characterization and comparison of uranium mobility in ancient and modern sediments

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Date
2012
Authors
Bergen, Laura
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Mineralogist
Abstract
The behavior of U in near surface sedimentary environments has changed throughout geologic time. There is a marked shift in U (IV) mineral stability and deposit style at approximately 2200 Ma due to changes in the concentration of O in the atmosphere. For example, prior to 2200 Ma, fluvial U deposits could form and U(IV) were stable in surface and near-surface environments. In modern, anthropogenic sedimentary systems such as U tailings, U (IV) minerals are not stable and readily oxidize to U (VI) minerals. In addition, U is much more mobile in modern sediments relative sediments that were deposited prior to 2200 Ma.
Description
Keywords
uranium, geochemistry, environment, geochronology, tailings
Citation
Bergen and Fayek, 2012