Exploration geochemistry for deep uranium deposits

这项研究将集中于完善化探技术，以探测加拿大阿萨巴斯卡盆地与深部不整合相关的铀矿床。最近对深层矿床地表地球化学指标的研究产生的技术将与新技术相结合，在萨斯喀彻温省北部两个极具前景的地区--外环和约翰森湖地区--进行勘探。皇后矿业公司和乌拉万矿业公司的研究小组在树木和粘土矿物中发现了特定的元素组合和同位素组成，这些矿物来自450米深处与不整合相关的铀矿床。这些结果为在勘探极少的现实世界地区建立额外的化探技术奠定了基础。这些新技术将包括对树轮和C层粘土矿物的深入表征，以了解来自矿床的可移动元素在这些介质中的驻留位置，并通过结合H、Li、B、C、N、锌、铅和U的同位素组成的浓度来更好地了解元素迁移的过程。本研究的目的是了解元素在近地表环境中的迁移过程，根据树芯和C层土壤粘土矿物的地球化学反应，评估这两个地区最可能的隐伏铀矿位置。并了解这两种媒介如何记录来自深部矿床和偏远地区人为输入的地球化学异常。对加拿大工业的好处是，在对铀的需求不断增加之际，可能会增加新的隐蔽矿床勘探工具和战略。女王的研究人员和学生的好处是有可能在以前未被研究的领域进行研究，使用和开发涉及同位素追踪的新分析技术，以及参与现实世界的探索计划。

This study will focus on refining geochemical exploration techniques for the detection of deep unconformity-related uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Canada. Techniques arising from recent studies of geochemical indicators at the surface from deep deposits will be combined with new techniques to explore in two highly prospective areas in northern Saskatchewan, the Outer Ring and Johannsen Lake areas. The groups at Queen's and Uravan Minerals have identified specific element associations and isotopic compositions in trees and clay minerals from soils that originate from unconformity-related uranium deposits at depths of 450m. These results form a base from which to build addition geochemical exploration techniques in real-world areas where exploration has been minimal. These new techniques will include in-depth characterization of tree-rings and C-horizon clay minerals to understand where in these media the mobile elements from the deposit reside and understand the process of element migration better by using concentrations coupled with isotopic compositions of H, Li, B, C, N, Zn, Pb and U. The purpose of this research is to understand the processes by which elements move in the near surface environment, to evaluate the most probable location of undercover uranium deposits in these two areas based on geochemical responses using tree-cores and clay minerals from C-horizon soils, and to understand how these two media register geochemical anomalies from deposits at depth and from anthropogenic inputs in remote areas. The benefits to Canadian industry are new exploration tools and strategies for undercover deposits that could be added at a time of increasing demand for uranium. The benefits to Queen's researchers and students are the possibility to conduct research in previously understudied areas, the use and development of novel analytical techniques involving isotope tracing, and involvement in a real-world exploration program.