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Effect of groundwater radiolysis on the wall-rock alteration of uranium ore deposits

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Abstract

Reported for the first time in this paper are the results of simulating experiments on the rirradiation-induced oxidation of Fe2+ under the physicochemical conditions (T= 200°C,P= 50 MPa,Eh=−0. IV, pH = 7.2) similar to those under which moderate-low temperature hydrothermal uranium deposits are formed. Evdence shows that the effect of groundwater radiolysis seems to be the major mechanism of wall-rock alteration (hematitizaton) of hydrothermal uranium deposits. Moreover, a discussion was made of possible effects of radiolysis of the water-rock system on wall-rock alterations including argillization and decoloration of uranium ore deposits on the basis of the experimental results.

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This project was funded by the Ph. D. Science Foundation of the National Commission of Education.

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Maozhong, M., Junqi, W. & Xiangyun, W. Effect of groundwater radiolysis on the wall-rock alteration of uranium ore deposits. Chin. J. of Geochem. 13, 355–362 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02838524

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02838524

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