Geochemical Drainage Surveys for Uranium:Sampling and Analytical Methods Based on Trial Surveys in Pennsylvania.

摘要

Geochemical surveys near sandstone-type uranium prospects in northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania show that the deposits can be detected by carefully planned stream sediment surveys,but not by stream water surveys. Stream waters at single sites changed in U content by x10to 50during the 18months of our studies,and even near known prospects,contain less than 0.2ppB U most of the time. Uranium extractable from stream sediment by acetic acid--H sub 2 O sub 2provides useful contrast between mineralized and nonmineralized drainages of a square mile or less;total U in sediment does not. High organic material results in increased U content of sediments and must be corrected. Changes in U content of sediment with time reach a maximum of x3and appear to be of short duration. A sediment of about 200mi exp 2near Jim Thorpe detects anomalies extending over several square miles near known occurrences and a second anomaly about two miles northeast of Penn Haven Jct. A similar survey in Lycoming-Sullivan Counties shows anomalous zones near known prospects of the Beaver Lake area and northwest of Muncy Creek. As,Mn,Pb,and V are enriched in the mineralized zones,and perhaps in surrounding halo zones,but do not appear to be pathfinder elements useful for reconnaissance exploration. (ERA citation 02:006630)