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Uranium Redistribution and Fixation During Chlorite Weathering at Koongarra, Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Takashi Murakami ,
Hiroshi Isobe ,
Tetsushi Nagano  and
Satoru Nakashima
Takashi Murakami
Affiliation:
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
Hiroshi Isobe
Affiliation:
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
Tetsushi Nagano
Affiliation:
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-11, Japan
Satoru Nakashima
Affiliation:
Akita University, Akita, Akita 010, Japan
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Abstract

The chemical forms of iron minerals and uranyl species have been examined non-destructively by visible microspectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis in order to obtain a better understanding of uranium redistribution and fixation mechanisms. The uranyl species are associated with sub-micron sized iron minerals, such as hematite (Fe2O3), goethite (FeOOH), and ferrihydrite (Fe4-5(OH,O)12). Additionally, some uranium is fixed to goethite in weathered chlorite grains. Sub-micron sized saleeite, Mg(UO2)2(PO4)2. 1OH2O, is the most probable uranyl phase associated with the iron minerals. This suggests that the uranium fixation in the vicinity of the Koongarra uranium ore deposits is the result of the coprecipitation and sorption of microcrystals of saleeite on to the iron minerals released during weathering of chlorite.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 257: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XV , 1991 , 473
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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References

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