Rare earth elements in Uranium ore for nuclear forensic application

Abstract

The contents of the Lanthanides, which are Rare Earth Elements (REE), that show consistent patterns under changing geochemical conditions in uranium ore have been studied. The objective is to determine the nuclear forensic parameters inherent to the various uranium ore samples collected from parts of northern Nigeria using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analytical technique for the purpose of baseline data generation and nuclear forensic application. The REE fingerprint obtained in this study suggests that the uranium is of uraninite/pitchblende granitic (vein-type) origin. The REE concentrations varied from 0.011 ± 0.000 ppm to 2.337 ± 0.082 ppm for Riruwai, 0.001 ± 0.000 ppm to 0.035 ± 0.002 ppm for Mika-I, 0.002 ± 0.000 ppm to 0.357 ± 0.007 ppm for Mika-II and 0.001 ± 0.001 ppm to 0.159 ± 0.005 ppm for Michika. A positive correlation between the REEs showed symmetrical chemical properties as well as their overall presence in the samples. The normalised REE/Cl-Chondrites pattern show Light Rare Earth Elements(LREE) enrichment, Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) fractionation with a negative Europium (Eu) anomaly. The ΣLREE/ΣHREE ratio presented varied values for the samples while a negative value of 143Nd/144Nd ratio (0.512638) in the Chondritic Uniform Reservoir (CHUR) ε Nd(-0.64285) suggested LREE uniformity and radiogenic origin.

Current Applications and Future Potential of Rare Earth Oxides in Sustainable Nuclear, Radiation, and Energy Devices: A Review

“…Specifically, UO 2 fuel rods can be effectively coated with different REOs, leading to enhanced reactivity . Another desirable characteristic is a consistent pattern in forensic applications that facilitates REO implementation in uranium ore, leading to a positive correlation between chemical properties and the presence of REO . Proper design of the solution could potentially contribute to nuclear waste and the matrix fuel sector.…”

“…193 Another desirable characteristic is a consistent pattern in forensic applications that facilitates REO implementation in uranium ore, leading to a positive correlation between chemical properties and the presence of REO. 194 Proper design of the solution could potentially contribute to nuclear waste and the matrix fuel sector. Moreover, uranium can be incorporated into multicomponent pyrochlore solid solutions, causing higher mechanical strength as compared to baseline single component pyrochlore.…”

Isotopic profiling of natural uranium mined from northern Nigeria for nuclear forensic application

“…The sample sites were chosen based on their geology and mineralisation, following previous prospecting of uranium in the sampling locations. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] About 2 kg of natural uranium rock samples, obtained by means of chisel and mallet, from each pit mine site, were placed in a zip-locked plastic bag to avoid contamination. The samples were collected between 11 February and 3 March 2018, at a depth ranging from 1.3 m to 5.9 m. The collected samples were then kept in a safe location for a short time and transferred to the Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa) for measurement and analysis.…”

“…The analysis produced results for various isotopes, which were then analysed further. Additional details of the experimental analysis can be found in John et al 33…”

In situ detection of neodymium isotopes using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy for nuclear forensic analysis

“…3 Neodymium isotopes, for example, could be conclusive evidence for the classication of uranium ore concentrates (UOCs). 4 Natural neodymium is composed of seven isotopes, including ve stable isotopes ( 142 Nd, 143 Nd, 145 Nd, 146 Nd, and 148 Nd) and two long-lived radioisotopes ( 144 Nd and 150 Nd).…”