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Evidence of native radiation-induced paramagnetic defects in natural illites from unconformity-type uranium deposits

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Abstract

This study presents the first unequivocal identification of natural radiation-induced defects in illites. Middle Proterozoic illites related to unconformity-type uranium deposits of Canada and Australia were studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at X- and Q-band frequencies. The saturation behaviour of EPR spectra as a function of power demonstrates that native defects of illites are different from those known in other clays as kaolinite, dickite or smectite. Q-band spectra indicate the presence of several––at least two––native defects. The EPR signal is dominated by an axially distorted spectrum with apparent principal components as follows: g ∥ = 2.032 and g ⊥ = 1.993. The corresponding defect is named as Ai center. The study of oriented specimen confirms the strong anisotropy, and shows that the main defect has its g ∥ component perpendicular to the (ab) plane of illite. These defects in illite correspond to electron holes located on oxygen atoms of the structure and likely associated to Si, according to the lack of hyperfine structure. The Ai center in illite has similar EPR parameters to the A center in kaolinite and dickite. The isochronal annealing data suggest that illite can be used as a dosimeter in the geosphere. However, the determination of half-life and activation energy of the Ai center requires additional work.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to AREVA Resources Canada Inc. and AREVA NC for providing us the samples, and AREVA NC for the financial support of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. laboratoire HydrASA, CNRS-UMR 6532, Université de Poitiers, 40 avenue du Recteur Pineau, 86022, Poitiers Cedex, France

    E. Morichon, D. Beaufort & P. Patrier

  2. Institut de Minéralogie et de Physique des Milieux Condensés de Paris, CNRS-UMR 7590, Universités Paris 6 et 7, IPGP campus Boucicaut, Bât. 7, 140 rue de Lourmel, 75015, Paris, France

    E. Morichon & T. Allard

  3. ERM, rue Albin Haller, Espace 10, 86000, Poitiers, France

    E. Morichon

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  1. E. Morichon
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  2. T. Allard
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  3. D. Beaufort
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  4. P. Patrier
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Correspondence to E. Morichon.

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Morichon, E., Allard, T., Beaufort, D. et al. Evidence of native radiation-induced paramagnetic defects in natural illites from unconformity-type uranium deposits. Phys Chem Minerals 35, 339–346 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00269-008-0227-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00269-008-0227-5

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