Variance - Correlation analysis in the exploration of hydrothermal (fluidogenous) deposits using surface gamma-ray spectrometry

Соболев, Игорь Станиславович; Orekhov, Alexander N.; Bratec, Tatiana; Рихванов, Леонид Петрович; Соболева, Надежда Петровна

doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.10.007

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…They have a characteristic geochemical behavior (e.g. the incompatible magmatic fractionation of U and Th in relative to K and the post-magmatic mobilization of U and K compared to Th) under magmatic, hydrothermal, and supergene conditions (e.g [ 16 , 18 , 23 , 24 , 37 , 47 , 55 , 59 , 60 ], making them significant tracers in the geochemical exploration and mapping the hydrothermal and supergene alteration zones (e.g; [ 1 , 13 , 20 , 26 , 27 , 36 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 58 , 64 , 66 , 67 ]. Apart from the other geochemical approaches such as fluid inclusions and whole rock geochemistry, the current work tries to build-up a radioelement ratio-based genetic scenario for vein-type uranium mineralizations by measuring Th/U, Th/K, and U/K ratios through host rocks, alteration zones, and U mineralized-veins.…”

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confidence: 99%

Genetic implications of Th/U, Th/K, and U/K ratios for U mineralizations: A case study from El-Missikat and El-Erediya shear zones, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abdel-Hakeem,

El-Tahir,

Zeid

et al. 2023

Geochem Trans

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The current work is an attempt to reveal the possible utilization of the radiometric measurements to build-up a complete genetic scenario for magmatic, hydrothermal, and supergene uranium mineralization. For this purpose, ground gamma-ray survey was performed through the exploratory tunnels dug perpendicular to El-Missikat and El-Erediya shear zones, the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Contents of U, Th, and K were measured for the host pink granite (e.g., avg.15.94 U ppm, 35.62 Th ppm, and 6.63% K), alteration zones (brecciation, silicification, greisenization, kaolinization and hematitization) (e.g., avg. 124.01 U ppm, 63.67 Th ppm, and 3.13% K), and mineralized silica veins (e.g., avg. 312.65 U ppm, 92.22 Th ppm, and 2.62% K). All of these data were graphically represented as correlation plots of Th vs. U, Th/U vs. U, Th vs. K, and U/K vs. Th/K. The overall results indicate magmatic, hydrothermal, and supergene sources of El-Missikat and El-Erediya U mineralization. The magma-derived U contents are enclosed mainly in the pink granite that is mostly characterized by normal Th/U (2.5–5) and Th/K ratios (3–5*10–4). The hydrothermal processes through the alteration zones and mineralized silica veins are reflected by the weak correlation of Th with U (e.g. r = 0.13 and − 0.39), the strong negative correlation of Th/U ratio with U (e.g. r = − 0.82), 2.5˃Th/U˃0.1, Th/K˃5*10–4, Th/K < 3*10–4, and the strong positive correlation of U/K with Th/K (e.g. r = 0.91) as well as the occurrence of thorite, columbite, xenotime and hydrothermal zircon (0.5 > Th/U ≤ 0.1). Afterwards, the hydrothermal mineralization underwent some degrees of chemical weathering that resulted in supergene U mineralization whose fingerprints can be traced by the occurrence of secondary U minerals (e.g. kasolite and uranophane), Th/U ratios ≤ 0.1, and the weak correlation between Th/K and U/K (e.g. r = 0.39 and − 0.11).

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