Using lead isotope ratios to distinguish between samples of diffrent uranium mines

Abstract

In this work, a total of twenty samples selected for investigation originate from South Africa and Namibia uranium mines. The aim of this study was to determine whether the lead ratios measured in particular samples could be used to attribute the uranium sample to the production or reprocessing plant. Measurements were carried out using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer PerkinElmer NexION 2000. The precision obtained for the 208 Pb/ 206 Pb ratio, the 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ratio and the 204 Pb/ 206 Pb ratio values was considerably lower than 0.02% demonstrating the applicability of the technique for Pb isotope ratio studies.

Identifying the origin of lead poisoning in white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) chicks at an important South African breeding colony: a stable lead isotope approach

“…Twenty-one (55%) blood samples fell within the range measured for all soil samples (excluding Hartbeesfontein), while 17 (45%) fell within the range of Dronfield soil. Three (8%) blood samples fell within the upper limit of water from tailings dams at a South African uranium mine and coal deposits previously reported by Kupi et al (2020) and Díaz-Somoano et al ( 2009), but showed no overlap with those reported for tailing dams of uranium mined in Namibia (Fig. 3).…”

“…3). The limited overlap between vulture blood isotopic ratios and those reported by Kupi et al (2020) for water from tailings dams at uranium mines in South Africa, suggests that these mining activities cannot significantly contribute to lead poisoning in Dronfield chicks; a conclusion that is supported by the limited occurrence of white-backed vultures within the Witwatersrand basin (Fig. 1).…”

“…3. Pb isotopic ratios of white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) blood compared to those reported by Kupi et al (2020) for water from tailings dams at uranium mines in South Africa and Namibia, as well as radiogenic Pb from uranium mined at Hartbeeshoek (North West Province). An axis break was inserted to preserve scale Fig.…”

“…Lead isotope ratios of water from uranium tailings from a mine in South Africa (n = 10) and in Namibia (n = 10) were obtained from Kupi et al (2020), who did not report the locations of the two mines. Isotopic ratios of lead (II) sulphide (PbS, galena) of the Bushmanland Group mined at Broken Hill, Big Syncline, Gamsberg and Black Mountain (near the town of Aggeneys, Northern Cape Province) were obtained from Reid et al (1997).…”