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Uranium-bearing francolites present in organic-rich limestones of NW Greece: a preliminary study using synchrotron radiation and fission track techniques

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Abstract

Synchrotron radiation techniques (μ-XRF and μ-XANES) were applied to the study of organic-rich phosphatized limestones of NW Greece (Epirus). The results revealed uranium accumulation in areas of the material containing, among others, carbonate apatite (francolite) and organic matter. The UL 3-edge of μ-XANES spectra showed that uranium was present in tetravalent form. U-bearing francolite crystals were separated from the rock and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and microprobe. The analysis of the crystals also indicated the presence of sodium and sulfur. The uranium presence in the crystals was also visualized, after neutron irradiation and etching, by the observation of the fission tracks.

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Acknowledgments

The study was partly supported by a DAAD-(UNIBRAL: 56265621) and a BMBF-Grant (05K13VH1) provided to the author U.A. Glasmacher. Synchrotron radiation beams were provided by the ANKA facility within the frame of the ANS-114 research project. The assistance of Drs. R. Steininger and T. J. Mertzimekis as well as of the ANKA technical staff during the experiments is thankfully acknowledged. We also thank Prof. P. C. Hackspacher for the support provided to us. Finally, many thanks to the Laboratory Manager of the Research Group Thermochronology and Archaeometry, Mrs. Margit Brückner for her assistance for the fission track measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece

    I. T. Tzifas & P. Misaelides

  2. Research Group Thermochronology and Archaeometry, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Heidelberg, Postfach 103980, 69029, Heidelberg, Germany

    U. A. Glasmacher

  3. Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 15784, Zografou, Greece

    A. Godelitsas

  4. ANKA Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany

    P. N. Gamaletsos & J. Goettlicher

  5. Center for Electron Nanoscopy, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

    P. N. Gamaletsos

  6. Departamento de Petrologia e Metalogenia, Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas, Universidade Estadual Paulista – Julio de Mesquita Filho, Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil

    D. Françoso de Godoy

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  1. I. T. Tzifas
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Correspondence to I. T. Tzifas.

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Tzifas, I.T., Glasmacher, U.A., Misaelides, P. et al. Uranium-bearing francolites present in organic-rich limestones of NW Greece: a preliminary study using synchrotron radiation and fission track techniques. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 311, 465–472 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4973-4

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