The basic themes of uranium ore genesis are host mineralogy, reduction-oxidation potential, and porosity. There are several themes of uranium ore deposit formation, which are caused by geological and chemical features of rocks and the element uranium. Ore genesis Wood fragment in a conglomerate from Utah, which has been partially replaced by pitchblende (black) and surrounded by carnotite (yellow) Gum like mixture of various uranium minerals The most common are gummite (a mixture of minerals), autunite (with calcium), saleeite ( magnesium) and torbernite (with copper) and hydrated uranium silicates such as coffinite, uranophane (with calcium) and sklodowskite (magnesium). The davidite- brannerite- absite type uranium titanates, and the euxenite- fergusonite- samarskite group are other uranium minerals.Ī large variety of secondary uranium minerals are known, many of which are brilliantly coloured and fluorescent. These include carnotite, tyuyamunite, torbernite and autunite. A range of other uranium minerals can be found in various deposits. The primary uranium ore mineral is uraninite (UO 2) (previously known as pitchblende). Uranium minerals Uraninite, also known as pitchblende Autunite, a secondary uranium mineral named after Autun in France Torbernite, an important secondary uranium mineral Along with all elements having atomic weights higher than that of iron, it is only naturally formed in supernova explosions. It is always found combined with other elements. Uranium has the highest atomic weight of the naturally occurring elements and is approximately 70% denser than lead, but not as dense as tungsten, gold, platinum, iridium, or osmium. Cosmogenic radionuclides are of less importance but unlike the aforementioned primordial radionuclides, which date back to the formation of the planet and have since slowly decayed away, they are replenished at roughly the same rate they decay by the bombardment of earth with cosmic rays. K) as well as their decay products are the main elements contributing to natural terrestrial radioactivity. Uranium, thorium, and one radioactive isotope of potassium ( 40 All uranium isotopes present in natural uranium are radioactive and fissionable, and 235U is fissile (will support a neutron-mediated chain reaction). The most common isotopes in natural uranium are 238U (99.27%) and 235U (0.72%). It has the chemical symbol U and atomic number 92. Uranium is a silvery-gray metallic weakly radioactive chemical element. The most widely used classification scheme was developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and subdivides deposits into 15 categories. Uranium deposits are generally classified based on host rocks, structural setting, and mineralogy of the deposit. To date, high-grade deposits are only found in the Athabasca Basin region of Canada. Globally, the distribution of uranium ore deposits is widespread on all continents, with the largest deposits found in Australia, Kazakhstan, and Canada. The primary use for uranium obtained from mining is in fuel for nuclear reactors. The challenge for commercial uranium extraction is to find those areas where the concentrations are adequate to form an economically viable deposit. It can be found almost everywhere in rock, soil, rivers, and oceans. Uranium is one of the most common elements in the Earth's crust, being 40 times more common than silver and 500 times more common than gold. Uranium ore deposits are economically recoverable concentrations of uranium within the Earth's crust. Economically recoverable concentrations of uranium within the Earth's crust Sample of uranium ore
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |