Geochemical Prospecting for Thorium and Uranium Deposits


Book Description

Developments in Economic Geology, 16: Geochemical Prospecting for Thorium and Uranium Deposits focuses on the analysis of various geochemical methods applicable in the search for all types of thorium and uranium deposits. The publication first ponders on the general chemistry and geochemistry of thorium and uranium, deposits of thorium and uranium and their indicator elements, and geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium. Discussions focus on radiation surveys, selection of areas, primary mineralization, supergene oxidation, and secondary enrichment of endogenic thorium and uranium deposits, and equilibrium in the natural radioactive series. The book then ponders on lithochemical, pedochemical, hydrochemical, and biogeochemical surveys of the geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium. Topics include heavy and light mineral surveys of stream, river, pond, and lake sediments, detailed litochemical surveys utilizing primary halos, and case histories. The text takes a look at sampling procedures and analytical methods for estimating thorium and uranium and miscellaneous methods and atmochemical surveys on the geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium, including isotopic methods, remote sensing and geothermal methods, and liquid inclusion and thermoluminescent methods. The book is a valuable source of data for researchers wanting to explore geochemical prospecting for thorium and uranium deposits.




Radionuclide Behaviour in the Natural Environment


Book Description

Understanding radionuclide behaviour in the natural environment is essential to the sustainable development of the nuclear industry and key to assessing potential environmental risks reliably. Minimising those risks is essential to enhancing public confidence in nuclear technology. Scientific knowledge in this field has developed greatly over the last decade.Radionuclide behaviour in the natural environment provides a comprehensive overview of the key processes and parameters affecting radionuclide mobility and migration.After an introductory chapter, part one explores radionuclide chemistry in the natural environment, including aquatic chemistry and the impact of natural organic matter and microorganisms. Part two discusses the migration and radioecological behavior of radionuclides. Topics include hydrogeology, sorption and colloidal reactions as well as in-situ investigations. Principles of modelling coupled geochemical, transport and radioecological properties are also discussed. Part three covers application issues: assessment of radionuclide behaviour in contaminated sites, taking Chernobyl as an example, estimation of radiological exposure to the population, performance assessment considerations related to deep geological repositories, and remediation concepts for contaminated sites.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Radionuclide behaviour in the natural environment is an essential tool for all those interested or involved in nuclear energy, from researchers, designers and industrial operators to environmental scientists. It also provides a comprehensive guide for academics of all levels in this field. - Provides a comprehensive overview of the key processes and parameters affecting radionuclide mobility and migration - Explores radionuclide chemistry in the natural environment - Discusses the migration and radioecological behaviour of radionuclides




The Analytical Chemistry of Thorium


Book Description

International Series of Monographs on Analytical Chemistry, Volume 10: The Analytical Chemistry of Thorium focuses on the composition, properties, and reactions of thorium. The book first discusses the occurrence of thorium and its properties. Topics include the position of thorium in the periodic system; methods of preparation for metallic thorium; and radioactivity of thorium isotopes. The text surveys the chemical and physical methods in identifying thorium. Gravimetric and fluorescence methods; detection and estimation of thorium by spectroscopic and X-ray analysis; and colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods are discussed. The text also examines the methods of separating thorium from associated elements. The separation of thorium from rare earths, scandium, titanium, uranium, lead, alkali metals, gallium, and beryllium is underscored. The text also discusses the determination of thorium in natural and industrial materials. Regeneration of thorium from industrial waste; isolation of thorium from ores and minerals; and analysis of alloys containing thorium are explained. The book is a valuable source of data for students and chemists wanting to study thorium.







Uranium


Book Description

Volume 38 of Reviews in Mineralogy provides detailed reviews of various aspects of the mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium. We have attempted to produce a volume that incorporates most important aspects of uranium in natural systems, while providing some insight into important applications of uranium mineralogy and geochemistry to environmental problems. The result is a blend of perspectives and themes: historical (Chapter 1), crystal structures (Chapter 2), systematic mineralogy and paragenesis (Chapters 3 and 7), the genesis of uranium ore deposits (Chapters 4 and 6), the geochemical behavior of uranium and other actinides in natural fluids (Chapter 5), environmental aspects of uranium such as microbial effects, groundwater contamination and disposal of nuclear waste (Chapters 8, 9 and 10), and various analytical techniques applied to uranium-bearing phases (Chapters 11-14). This volume was written in preparation for a short course by the same title, sponsored by the Mineralogical Society of America, October 22 and 23, 1999 in Golden, Colorado, prior to MSA's joint annual meeting with the Geological Society of America.




Karst Bauxites


Book Description

Karst Bauxites: Bauxite Deposits on Carbonate Rocks presents a comparison of bauxite regions using mathematical statistics methods. This book is divided into eight chapters that highlight the quantitative processing and assessment of the information available for bauxites. The opening chapters present observational and analytical evidence concerning karst bauxite, with particular emphasis on Hungarian bauxite deposits. The typical features of bauxites are analyzed from a variety of aspects and results from different bauxite regions are compared. Other chapters consider the feature of metamorphosed karst bauxites. The remaining chapters discuss the conditions of formation of karst bauxites and with the factors controlling their geographic and stratigraphic distribution. This book will prove useful to geologists, mineralogists, and researchers.










Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Uranium and Thorium Deposits


Book Description

New geochemical and mineralogical data from research conducted under the IAEA coordinated research project entitled Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of Uranium and Thorium Deposits has resulted in a better understanding of the genesis of uranium and thorium mineralization. This publication presents a summary of the research and selected papers from the project's partners. The results are expected to enhance exploration programmes, resource evaluation and sustainable supply of uranium and thorium for peaceful purposes.




Thorium Fuel Cycle


Book Description

Provides a critical review of the thorium fuel cycle: potential benefits and challenges in the thorium fuel cycle, mainly based on the latest developments at the front end of the fuel cycle, applying thorium fuel cycle options, and at the back end of the thorium fuel cycle.