Identification of uraniferous granitoids in the USA using stream sediment geochemical data

Abstract

Trace element variations in stream sediments from an area of 76 000 km2 in central Colorado are used to identify uraniferous granitoids on the basis of whole rock geochemical criteria developed to distinguish barren from metalliferous granitoids in Britain. These criteria (which include enhanced Ba, Be, Cs, Cs/Ba, K, La/Eu, Li, Lu/Eu, Nb, Rb, Rb/K, low Sr and Mg, and RE patterns with marked negative Eu anomalies) are used to formulate an index based on the Pikes Peak batholith of the Front Range as a type uranium source rock.Uraniferous granitoids in Colorado, which are associated with sedimentary basins containing major uranium mineralization, are identified using this index which may be applicable to the interpretation of stream sediments from elsewhere. The use of stream sediment geochemistry as an exploration method for similar uranium source rocks, which may indicate potential uranium provinces, is thus possible.

The Genetic Hypothesis of the Uraniferus Mineralization, Eastern Chalkidiki (Northern Greece)

“…In Figure 3 the REE patterns of Arnea's granitic and Stratoni's granodioritic samples, normalized for 10 ordinary chondrites (Nakamura, 1974) The comparison of the chemical data from the two bodies shows that the granite of Arnea, except the Li content, presents all the characteristics of a metalliferous granitoide. On the contrary, the Stratoni granodiorite, except for the U and the Th, seems that does not present this tendency (Howarth et al, 1981).…”