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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 63 (1979)

Issue: 3. (March)

First Page: 472

Last Page: 473

Title: Geochemistry of South Texas Uranium Deposits: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Earl Ingerson, S. Valastro, Jr.

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

During the past several years attempts have been made to unravel the geochemistry of south Texas uranium deposits by analyzing core samples obtained from several localities within the mineralized province and from various prospective mines.

The core samples were taken from three different sections of the geochemical cell--the oxidation, ore, and protore zones. All samples selected for analysis belong to the same stratigraphic interval as the ore zone.

Measurements of pH and Eh taken in the field range as follows: oxidation zone, pH 7.2 to 5.6 and Eh -60 mv to +50 mv; ore zone, pH 4.1 to 3.6 and Eh +210 mv to +155 mv; protore zone, pH 2.6 to 4.2 and Eh +210 mv to +180 mv.

Analyses of total organic carbon, pyritic sulfur, and uranium have also been conducted. The total organic

End_Page 472------------------------------

carbon content is generally low, but increases toward the protore to approximately 0.273%. Although the occurrence of pyritic sulfur is low in the oxidation zone, it increases from 0.015 to 0.696% in the protore. Evidence also indicates an increase with proximity to the roll front. Uranium is most prevalent in the ore zone, with a maximum value of approximately 290 ppm for the samples studied. In the protore, it ranges from 37 to 44 ppm.

Adsorbed hydrocarbon analysis shows little evidence of petroleum migration from the downdip section of the deposits thus far analyzed.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists