In geochemical prospecting using stream sediments and soils, radium is more direct than uranium.
Uranium anomalies in organic lake sediments might be false if not accompanied by high radium.
-
Uranium is concentrated by organic matter such as some of the sediments (gyttja?) found in lakes and
streams in the Canadian Shield. Radium is less strongly concentrated.
-
At the
Faraday Mine,
radium in the A-horizon and B-horizon and uranium in the B-horizon all
respond well to the presence of underlying ore.
As expected, anomalies in all three cases are shifted somewhat downhill. In the A-horizon, on the other hand,
uranium shows no relationship to the underlying ore, but
gives a strong anomaly in the swampy soil lower down the hill.
-
Also in the Bancroft area, in organic stream sediments,
we find that upstream uranium mineralization is more closely reflected by radium than by
uranium.
-
All of the radium in the earth comes from radioactive decay of uranium.
These two elements have very different chemical behaviour and can get separated during
geological processes. Once radium is separated from uranium it takes a million years to grow back into equilibrium.
Therefore, in young sediments like gyttja, which are at most a few thousand years old, uranium and radium are not in equilibrium.
If these two elements have both come from the same nearby orebody, they arrived in the sediment by separate processes.
-
If anomalous concentrations of uranium in sediment are due to nearby enrichments of uranium
in rock, then radium values in the sediment would also be high.
Absence of high radium values in these uranium anomalies suggests that chemical activity in
the sediment is responsible for the uranium enrichment -- a false anomaly.
-
All suspicious uranium anomalies in organic sediment and A-horizon of soils should be analysed for radium as well.
In fact, radium analyses, as opposed to uranium, might be a better first choice in geochemical
prospecting for uranium.
-
Most of the radon in lake water comes from radium in the lake sediment.
Analysis of lake-bottom waters for radon will give a good indication of the radium content
of the sediment, and in some cases will be more readily available.
Link.
-
Radium is determined in soils, sediments and water using the same Lucas cell system as for
radon.
|
INSTRUMENTS
-
We measure: radon - radium - thoron - radon daughters - alpha radiation.
-
The
Lucas cell
is recognized as the most sensitive and reliable method for these elements.
-
Our instruments are used around the world in exploration for uranium, oil & gas, groundwater and hydrothermal,
and in environmental protection, health physics, earthquake prediction, and evaluation of hydrocarbon and NAPL contamination.
-
In the radon business since 1968, our latest major instrument update was 2015.
-
Modern, low-power, field-rugged electronics. Some earlier versions still working after 35 years.
-
Continuous real-time monitoring and data recording.
-
Winter and summer, from the Sahara Desert to the Canadian Shield, our instruments have faced up to severe field conditions.
- Intrinsically safe functions.
-
Sensitive to geochemical trace levels necessary for radon in lake water and for radon-thoron isotope ratios.
-
Can work in a tent without electricity or be carried from point to point in the field.
-
50 readings per day. Results available immediately.
-
Rechargeable battery pack good for a long day in the field and recharges in a few hours.
-
Can be operated by junior personnel if carefully supervised.
-
Same instruments used for radon and radium in soil, sediment,
plant parts, rocks, water, soil gas, air, and snow, and for radon daughters in air.
- EPA compliant.
-
Click here for more details of instruments.
-
Click here for or other instruments, components and
accessories we provide
-
Technical specification sheets and pictures of our instruments provided on request.
-
Multilingual consulting and training (if required).
For instruments contact
R.H. Morse & Associates Ltd.
1-416-269-9979
morse@finderschoice.com
skype: robert.morse.toronto |
Robert H. Morse, Ph.D., P.Eng.
March 21, 2010
|