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‘Spectacle’ array of 210Po halo radiocentres in biotite: a nuclear geophysical enigma

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Abstract

POLONIUM radiohaloes occur widely and not infrequently (total about 1015–1020) in Precambrian rocks but their existence has so far defied satisfactory explanation based on accepted nucleocosmogeochemical theories1. Do Po haloes imply that unknown processes were operative during the formative period of the Earth? Is it possible that Po halos in Precambrian rocks represent extinct natural radioactivity2 and are therefore of cosmological significance? A detailed comparison between an unusual array of Po halo radiocentres and U–Th halo radiocentres is presented here as bearing on the above questions.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37830

    ROBERT V. GENTRY

  2. Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37830

    L. D. HULETT

  3. Laboratory Development Department, Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37830

    S. S. CRISTY & J. F. MCLAUGHLIN

  4. Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, Schenectady, New York, 12301

    J. A. McHUGH

  5. McCrone Associates, 2820 Michigan Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60616

    MICHAEL BAYARD

Authors
  1. ROBERT V. GENTRY
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  2. L. D. HULETT
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  3. S. S. CRISTY
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  4. J. F. MCLAUGHLIN
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  5. J. A. McHUGH
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  6. MICHAEL BAYARD
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GENTRY, R., HULETT, L., CRISTY, S. et al. ‘Spectacle’ array of 210Po halo radiocentres in biotite: a nuclear geophysical enigma. Nature 252, 564–566 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252564a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/252564a0

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