The Relationship between Jurassic Coal Measures and Sandstone-type Uranium Deposits in the Northeastern Ordos Basin,China

Outcrop and drill hole data show that the Jurassic coal measures in the northeastern Ordos Basin are composed mainly of the Yan’an Formation and the lowstand system tract of the Zhiluo Formation, and there is a regional unconformity between them. The Dongsheng uranium deposit is associated with the Jurassic coal measures. Research data indicate that the Jurassic coal measures in the study area have a certain hydrocarbon-generating capacity, although the metamorphic grade is low （Ro=0.40%–0.58%）. In the Dongsheng region alone, the accumulative amount of generated coalbed methane （CBM） is about 2028.29 × 108 –2218.72 × 108 m3; the residual amount is about 50.92 × 108 m3, and the lost amount is about 1977 × 108 m3. Analysis of the burial history of the host rocks and the evolutionary history of the Dongsheng uranium deposit suggests that the Jurassic coal measures generated hydrocarbon mainly from Middle Jurassic to Early Crataceous, which is the main mineralization phase of the Dongsheng uranium deposit. By the Late Cretaceous, a mass of CBM dissipated due to the strong tectonic uplift, and the Dongsheng uranium deposit stepped into the preservation phase. Therefore, the low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid in the Jurassic coal measures not only served as a reducing agent for the formation of sandstone-type uranium deposits, but also rendered the second reduction of paleo-interlayer oxidation zone and become the primary reducing agent for ore conservation. Regional strata correlation reveals that the sandstone-type uranium reservoir at the bottom of the Zhiluo Formation is in contact with the underlying industrial coal seams in the Yan’an Formation through incision or in the form of an unconformity surface. In the Dongsheng region with poorly developed fault systems, the unconformity surface and scour surface served as the main migration pathways for low-mature hydrocarbon-containing fluid migrating to the uranium reservoir.

Application of Optically Stimulated Luminescence Technique in Exploring a Concealed Sandstone-type Uranium Deposit

Identifying ore-induced geochemical anomalies at the surface that indicate concealed deposits in buried areas remains a significant challenge in geochemical exploration. In this study, in order to trace the source of the geochemical anomalies, systematic luminescence intensity analyses were conducted on quartz grains from the Quaternary regolith at the Hadatu sandstone-type uranium deposit in the Erenhot Basin. The optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) ages were much older than the depositional ages of the Quaternary regolith. Moreover, quartz OSL ages were closely related to both borehole grades and sampling depths. Thus, the abnormal mineral OSL ages from near-surface sediments were ultimately controlled by the sandstone-type uranium deposits. This is identical to the rapid changes of quartz OSL ages(0.063 ka/cm) and equivalent doses(0.19 Gy/cm) with depths in a given sampling site. The instantaneous soil radon concentration was positively correlated with the quartz OSL apparent age, indicating their ore-induced origin and, as a result, their effectiveness in the exploration of concealed uranium deposits. Other parameters, including mobile-state uranium and;Po contents, were poorly correlated with quartz OSL ages and therefore should only be used with caution for geochemical exploration. This is the first time an attempt has been made to discriminate the ore-induced sources for different surface anomaly parameters, including instantaneous soil radon, mobile-state uranium and;Po contents for concealed sandstonetype uranium deposits.

Tests on Application of Soil Magnetic and Integrated Gamma Ray TLD and TC Methods to the Exploration of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits

This paper introduces the test results of the soil magnetic survey and the integrated gamma-ray TLD and TC methods for sandstone-type uranium exploration and describes the prospecting mechanism. The tests have proved that these approaches have yielded good results on classifying the sedimentary facies, defining the redox transitional zones and reflecting deep mineralization information. They may probably become new methods on searching for sandstone-type uranium deposits.

Origin and Superposition Metallogenic Model of the Sandstone-type Uranium Deposit in the Northeastern Ordos Basin,China

This paper deals with the metallogenic model of the sandstone type uranium deposit in the northeastern Ordos Basin from aspects of uranium source, migration and deposition. A superposition metallogenic model has been established due to complex uranium mineralization processes with superposition of oil-gas reduction and thermal reformation.

The First Discovery of a Large Sandstone-type Uranium Deposit in Aeolian Depositional Environment

The exploration depth of sandstone-type uranium deposits worldwide is mostly less than 700 m,and most of them occur in strata of fluvial facies(Adams et al.,1981;Jin et al.,2016;Hou et al.,2017).Only a few small uranium deposits have been reported in aeolian depositional environments(Isachsen et al.,1955;Li et al.,2001).In the Pcngyang Jingchuan region of the southwestern Ordos Basin,uranium ore bodies with large thickness and high grade in the aeolian sandstone of the Luohe Formation were newly found at depths from 700 to 1500 m,which have laid the foundation for increasing the uranium resources significantly in the Ordos Basin.

Isotope geochemistry of ore fluids for the Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, China

The Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit is one of the large-sized sandstone-type uranium deposits discovered in the northern part of the Ordos Basin of China in recent years. Geochemical characteristics of the Dongsheng uranium deposit are significantly different from those of the typical interlayered oxidized sandstone-type uranium ore deposits in the region of Middle Asia. Fluid inclusion studies of the uranium deposit showed that the uranium ore-forming temperatures are within the range of 150–160℃. Their 3He/4He ratios are within the range of 0.02–1.00 R/Ra, about 5–40 times those of the crust. Their 40Ar/36Ar ratios vary from 584 to 1243, much higher than the values of atmospheric argon. The δ18OH2O and δD values of fluid inclusions from the uranium deposit are -3.0‰– -8.75‰ and -55.8‰– -71.3‰, respectively, reflecting the characteristics of mixed fluid of meteoric water and magmatic water. The δ18OH2O and δD values of kaolinite layer at the bottom of the uranium ore deposit are 6.1‰ and -77‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of magmatic water. The δ13CV-PDB and δ18OH2O values of calcite veins in uranium ores are -8.0‰ and 5.76‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of mantle source. Geochemical characteristics of fluid inclusions indicated that the ore-formation fluid for the Dongsheng uranium deposit was a mixed fluid of meteoric water and deep-source fluid from the crust. It was proposed that the Jurassic-Cretaceous U-rich metamorphic rocks and granites widespread in the northern uplift area of the Ordos Basin had been weathered and denudated and the ore-forming elements, mainly uranium, were transported by meteoric waters to the Dongsheng region, where uranium ores were formed. Tectonothermal events and magmatic activities in the Ordos Basin during the Mesozoic made fluids in the deep interior and oil/gas at shallow levels upwarp along the fault zone and activated fractures, filling into U-bearing clastic sandstones, thus providing necessary energy for the formation of uranium ores.

REE/trace element characteristics of sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Ordos Basin

The major elements, trace elements and REEs were analyzed on the samples collected from the sandstone-type uranium deposits in the Ordos Basin to constrain the mechanism of uranium enrichment. The total REE amount ranges from 36.7 to 701.8 μg/g and the REE distribution patterns of the sandstone-type uranium samples are characterized by LREE enrichment and high REE depletion. The results also indicated a high Y abundance and Eu anomalies between 0.77-1.81. High-precision ICP-MS results showed that U abundances are within the range of 0.73-150 μg/g, showing some strong correlation between U enrichment and related elements such as Ti, V, Zr, Mo, and Au. In addition, Th abundance is correlated with ΣREE.

Geochemical characteristics of Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, Ordos Basin

Generally, sandstone-type uranium deposits can be divided into three zones according to their redox conditions: oxidized zone, ore zone and reduced zone. The Dongsheng uranium deposit belongs to this type. In order to study its geochemical characteristics, 11 samples were taken from the three zones of the Dongsheng uranium deposit. Five samples of them were collected from the oxidized zone, four samples from the ore zone and two samples from the reduced zone. These samples were analyzed using organic and inorganic geochemical methods. The results of GC traces and ICP-MASS indicate that the three zones show different organic and inorganic geochemical characteristics.

Episodic sandstone-type uranium mineralization in Asia during the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic

Sandstone-type uranium deposits(STUDs) are the most important global source of uranium. However, it is unclear why STUDs have a non-random distribution in time and space. It is generally thought that STUDs are formed by the circulation of groundwater in sandstone rocks. The groundwater is typically oxidized and sourced from local precipitation, which suggests the regional climate may have a role in the formation of STUDs. The groundwater circulation is mainly affected by basin evolution, which means that regional tectonism may also control the formation of STUDs. In this study, the author examined STUDs in Asia, and compiled previously reported ages for STUDs and compared these with the uplift history of the major orehosting regions and the late Mesozoic–Cenozoic climatic evolution of Asia. Apart from a few uranium deposits in the Transural region, most of the STUDs in Asia were formed during the Late Cretaceous to Quaternary, and can be classified into three stages:Late Cretaceous–early Paleogene(80–50 Ma;stage I), Oligocene–mid-Miocene(25–17 Ma;stage Ⅱ), and late Miocene–present(8–0 Ma;stage Ⅲ). The formation of STUDs in Asia was closely related to regional uplift caused by India–Eurasia collision,subduction of oceanic plates, and increased humidity during greenhouse climate periods and intensification of the Asian Monsoon.

Theoretical System of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Northern China

Many theoretical results on sandstone-type uranium mineralization in northern China obtained by the uranium research team of the Tianjin Center of Geological Survey in recent years are presented.From the source sink system of uranium-producing basins,sedimentary environment of uranium-bearing rock series,ore-forming fluid information,evolution of tectonic events,basin formation and development,we redefine and classify uranium orebodies,redox zoning,and ore-controlling structural styles.We then systematically propose a theoretical system of sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern China.We conclude that sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern China are mainly found in sedimentary environments such as rivers,deltas,and alluvial fans in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic lowstand systems tract and in gray sandstone layers in the vertical redox zoning.The orebodies are controlled by the tectonic slope belt,which is in the shape of a strip on the plane,and spreads in a layer or plate on the section.Vertical(ups and downs)tectonic movement triggers large-scale phreatic flow in the basin,which is the real driving force for controlling the ore-forming fluid.The theoretical system of sandstone-type uranium deposits in northern China should be based on global tectonic movement and environmental changes and take into account factors such as basins as a unit to study mineralization background,ore concentration areas as objects to study mineralization,and the correlation between regional tectonic movement and metallogenic process as a breakthrough point to study tectonic events and metallogenic events.It should also be based on different basin types to establish metallogenic models.The innovative research results and ideas are summarized with the aim of promoting the continuous improvement of sandstone-type uranium mineralization theory in northern China.

Association of Sandstone-Type Uranium Mineralization in the Northern China with Tectonic Movements and Hydrocarbons

In the continental basins of Northern China(NC),a series of energy resources commonly co-exist in the same basin.As the three typical superimposed basins of different genesis in the NC,the Junggar,Ordos,and Songliao basins were chosen as the research objects.The favorable uraniumbearing structures are generally shown as a basin-margin slope or transition belt of uplifts with the development of faults,which are conducive to a fluid circulation system.The Hercynian,Indosinian,and Yanshanian movements resulted in the development of uranium-rich intrusions which acted as the significant uranium sources.The main hydrocarbon source rocks are developed in the Carboniferous,Permian,Jurassic and Cretaceous.The mature stage of source rocks is concentrated in the Jurassic–Cretaceous,followed by the multi-stage expulsion events.Influenced by the India-Eurasian collision and the subduction of the Pacific Plate,the tectonic transformation in the Late Yanshanian and Himalayan periods significantly influenced the sandstone-type uranium mineralization.The hydrocarbon reservoirs are spatially consistent with sandstone-type uranium deposits,while the hydrocarbon expulsion events occur in sequence with sandstone-type uranium mineralization.In the periphery of the faults or the uplifts,both fluids met and formed uranium concentration.The regional tectonic movements motivate the migration of hydrocarbon fluids and uranium mineralization,especially the Himalayan movement.

Uranium Isotope Variations(234U/238U and 238U/235U)and Behavior of U-Pb Isotope System in the Vershinnoe Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit,Vitim Uranium Ore District,Russia

The U-Pb isotope system and uranium isotope composition(235U/238U and 234U/238U)were studied in a number of samples from the vertical section of the uranium ore body at the Vershinnoe sandstone-type deposit,Vitim uranium ore district,Russia.These parameters were determined to broadly vary.Deviations of the 234U/238U ratio from the equilibrium value indicate that the uranium ore was not completely conserved during the postore stage,and uranium was determined to continue migrating at the deposit.Comparison of the U-Pb isotope age value and 234U/238U isotope ratio provides an insight into the migrate direction of uranium in the ore body.The broad variations(137.377–137.772)in the 238U/235U ratio over the vertical section of the ore body can be explained by the different settings of the samples relative to the ore deposition front and changes in the redox conditions when this front shifted.The fact that theδ238U and K234/238 values are correlated indicates that the transfer of the 234U isotope into the aqueous phase may have been coupled with isotope fractionation in the 238U-235U system during the postformation uranium migration within the orebody.

Research on diagenesis of the sandstone-type uranium deposits in Dongsheng area, Ordos Basin

Synthetic methods of thin section petrography, scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe, energy spectrum analysis, cathodoluminescence, isotopic analysis and temperature measuring for fluid inclusions were used in analyzing sandstone samples collected from the Zhiluo Formation in order to fully understand the diagenesis evolution and the mineralizing response as well as the genesis of the uranium-bearing sandstone in Dongsheng area. The result shows that (1) the sandstone include lithic silicarenite, feldspathic litharenite and litharenite; (2) the authigenic minerals include clay minerals, carbonate minerals, siliceous and ferric minerals; (3) the physical property of sandstone is obviously controlled by diagenesis; and (4) the sandstone with favorable physical property is propitious to migration and storage of ore-forming fluid, and finally, forming the ore deposit. The sandstone of the Zhiluo Formation had undergone the early diagenetic stage (periods A and B) and the epidiagenetic stage. The evolution of diagenetic environment is in the order of acidic oxidation, alkalescent deoxidization, acidity to transitional environment of oxidation-deoxidization and acidity-alkalescence. The uranium exists in forms of pre-enrichment uranyl ion, active uranyl ion, dispersive adsorptive uranium and uranium mineral, respectively. In addition, the authors also hold that the formation of the sandstone-type uranium is not only related to the oxidation-deoxidization environment, but also closely related to the acidic-alkaline transitional environment, which are propitious to uranium mineralization in sandstone.

Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

Efficient and selective extraction of uranium from seawater based on a novel pulsed liquid chromatography radionuclide separation method

The novel pulsed liquid chromatography radionuclide separation method presented here provides a new and promising strategy for the extraction of uranium from seawater.In this study,a new chromatographic separation method was proposed,and a pulsed nuclide automated separation device was developed,alongside a new chromatographic column.The length of this chromatographic column was 10 m,with an internal warp of 3 mm and a packing size of 1 mm,while the total separation units of the column reached 12,250.The most favorable conditions for the separation of nuclides were then obtained through optimizing the separation conditions of the device:Sample pH in the column=2,sample injection flow rate=5.698 mL/min,chromatographic column heating temperature=60℃.Separation experiments were also carried out for uranium,europium,and sodium ions in mixed solutions;uranium and sodium ions in water samples from the Ganjiang River;and uranium,sodium,and magnesium ions from seawater samples.The separation factors between the different nuclei were then calculated based on the experimental data,and a formula for the separation level was derived.The experimental results showed that the separation factor in the mixed solution of uranium and europium(1:1)was 1.088,while achieving the initial separation of uranium and europium theoretically required a 47-stage separation.Considering the separation factor of 1.50for the uranium and sodium ions in water samples from the Ganjiang River,achieving the initial separation of uranium and sodium ions would have theoretically required at least a 21-stage separation.Furthermore,for the seawater sample separation experiments,the separation factor of uranium and sodium ions was 1.2885;therefore,more than 28 stages of sample separation would be required to achieve uranium extraction from seawater.The novel pulsed liquid chromatography method proposed in this study was innovative in terms of uranium separation and enrichment,while expanding the possibilities of extracting uranium from seawater through chromatography.

Branched fibrous amidoxime adsorbent with ultrafast adsorption rate and high amidoxime utilization for uranium extraction from seawater

Direct collection of uranium from low uranium systems via adsorption remains challenging.Fibrous sorbent materials with amidoxime(AO)groups are promising adsorbents for uranium extraction from seawater.However,low AO adsorption group utilization remains an issue.We herein fabricated a branched structure containing AO groups on polypropylene/polyethylene spun-laced nonwoven(PP/PE SNW)fibers using grafting polymerization induced by radiation(RIGP)to improve AO utilization.The chemical structures,thermal properties,and surface morphologies of the raw and treated PP/PE SNW fibers were studied.The results show that an adsorptive functional layer with a branching structure was successfully anchored to the fiber surface.The adsorption properties were investigated using batch adsorption experiments in simulated seawater with an initial uranium concentration of 500μg·L^(−1)(pH 4,25℃).The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent material was 137.3 mg·g^(−1)within 24 h;moreover,the uranyl removal reached 96%within 240 min.The adsorbent had an AO utilization rate of 1/3.5 and was stable over a pH range of 4–10,with good selectivity and reusability,demonstrating its potential for seawater uranium extraction.

An artificial neural network potential for uranium metal at low pressures

Based on machine learning,the high-dimensional fitting of potential energy surfaces under the framework of first principles provides density-functional accuracy of atomic interaction potential for high-precision and large-scale simulation of alloy materials.In this paper,we obtained the high-dimensional neural network(NN)potential function of uranium metal by training a large amount of first-principles calculated data.The lattice constants of uranium metal with different crystal structures,the elastic constants,and the anisotropy of lattice expansion of alpha-uranium obtained based on this potential function are highly consistent with first-principles calculation or experimental data.In addition,the calculated formation energy of vacancies in alpha-and beta-uranium also matches the first-principles calculation.The calculated site of the most stable self-interstitial and its formation energy is in good agreement with the findings from density functional theory(DFT)calculations.These results show that our potential function can be used for further large-scale molecular dynamics simulation studies of uranium metal at low pressures,and provides the basis for further construction of potential model suitable for a wide range of pressures.

Effect of Natural Zeolite on Pore Structure of Cemented Uranium Tailings Backfill

The use of some environmental functional minerals as backfill-modified materials may improve the leaching resistance of cemented uranium tailings backfill created from alkali-activated slag(CUTB),but these materials may participate in the hydration reaction of the cementitious materials,which could have a certain impact on the pore structure of the CUTB,thus affecting its mechanical properties and leaching resistance.In this paper,natural zeolite is selected as the backfill-modified material,and it is added to alkali-activated slag paste(AASP)and CUTB in cementitious material proportions of 4%,8%,12%,and 16%to prepare AASP mixtures and CUTB mixtures containing environmental functional minerals.After the addition of natural zeolite,the porosity of the CUTB generally increases,but when the content is 4%,the porosity decreases to 22.30%.The uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)of the CUTB generally decreases,but the decrease is the smallest when the content is 4%,and the UCS is 12.37 MPa.The addition of natural zeolite mainly reduces the number of fine pores in the CUTB,but the pores with relaxation times T_(2)of greater than 10 ms account for about 10%of the total pores,and there are a certain number of large pores in the CUTB.The main product of alkali-activated slag is calcium(alumino)silicate hydrate(C-(A)-S-H gel).When natural zeolite is added,the hydration products develop towards denser products with a high degree of polymerization and the formation of low polymerization products is reduced.This affects the internal fracture pores of the hydration products and the interface pores of the CUTB,has an irregular effect on the pore characteristics of the CUTB,and influences the UCS.

Application of sequential extraction for analyzing source and sink of uranium in Huanghe River sediments,China

Geochemical behaviors of heavy metals are closely related to their chemical state that can be divided by sequential extraction into exchangeable(F1),bound to carbonates(F2),bound to Fe-Mn oxides(F3),bound to organic matter or sulfide(F4),and residual(F5).Uranium in sediment of the Huanghe(Yellow)River,China,in different chemical states was extracted using the five-step procedure of Tessier and the source and sink were analyzed.Results show that more than 70%of the total uranium was immobile residual F5 in abundance,followed in order of F4>F3>F2>F1,indicating that the main source of uranium in the sediments was from weathered rock in the drainage basin.In addition,the uranium in the sediments presents potential exogenous input in the Lanzhou,Baotou,and Tongguan reach.Fe-Mn oxides are main carriers of unstable uranium,especially those of F1 and F3.Calcite and illite are secondary adsorption minerals of unstable uranium in sediments under natural conditions.Human activities can also produce an obvious impact on uranium speciation.This study provides a reference for the application of sequential extraction in analyzing the source and sink of uranium in river sediments.

Site selective 5f electronic correlations inβ-uranium

We investigate the electronic structure ofβ-uranium,which has five nonequivalent atomic sites in its unit cell,by means of the density functional theory plus Hubbard-U correction with U from linear response calculation.It is found that the 5f electronic correlations inβ-uranium are moderate.More interestingly,their strengths are site selective,depending on the local atomic environment of the present uranium atom.As a consequence,the occupation matrices and partial 5f density of states ofβ-uranium manifest site dependence.In addition,the complicate experimental structure ofβ-uranium could be well reproduced within this theoretical framework.