234U/238U activity ratios of dissolved uranium in groundwaters from a jurassic limestone aquifer in England

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

4

Scientific paper

Uranium contents and 234U/238U activity ratios have been determined for groundwaters from the Lincolnshire Limestone artesian aquifer in eastern England. Changes in the quantitative and isotopic chemistry of the dissolved uranium are explained in terms of a mixing model involving the rapidly moving fissure water and much older water stored in the pore system of this oolitic limestone. The western part of the aquifer, closest to recharge, is dominated by oxidising groundwaters which then enter a reducing zone towards the east, where there is an abrupt decrease in Eh and the chlorinity of the groundwaters begins to increase. Uranium contents in the oxidising zone range from 0.7 to 3.4 μg kg-1 and 234U/238U activity ratio of this dissolved uranium is close to unity, the equilibrium value. The uranium content decreases abruptly when the grounwaaters enter the reducing zone, averaging 0.04 μg kg-1 east of the oxidation/reduction barrier. Simultaneously with the decrease in uranium content, there is an increase in 234U/238U activity ratio and this ratio increases to a maximum within 7 km of the oxidation/reduction barrier. This increase in activity ratio is attributed to enhanced 234U solution due to 234Th recoil from uraniferous fissure surfaces east of the oxidising zone. The activity ratio of dissolved uranium in the ancient pore waters could in principle reach high values due to 234Th recoil from the oolith surfaces. However, the activity ratio actually declines further east and this can only be explained as a consequence of mixing with pore waters in which the uranium activity ratio is closer to equilibrium. 234Th recoil from the oolith surfaces has probably been inhibited by sealing of the uranium-bearing surfaces in the process of oolith cementation.
Present address: Institute of Geological Sciences, Environmental Protection Unit, Building 151, Harwell Laboratory, Oxon., OX11 ORA, U.K.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

234U/238U activity ratios of dissolved uranium in groundwaters from a jurassic limestone aquifer in England does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with 234U/238U activity ratios of dissolved uranium in groundwaters from a jurassic limestone aquifer in England, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and 234U/238U activity ratios of dissolved uranium in groundwaters from a jurassic limestone aquifer in England will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1456399

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.