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Xps and Xrd Studies of Uranium Rich Minerals from Cigar Lake, Saskatchewan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

S. Sunder ,
P. Taylor  and
J. J. Cramer
S. Sunder
Affiliation:
Division of Geochemistry and Waste Immobilization, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1LO
P. Taylor
Affiliation:
Division of Geochemistry and Waste Immobilization, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1LO
J. J. Cramer
Affiliation:
Division of Geochemistry and Waste Immobilization, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1LO
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Abstract

Samples of uranium ore from the 1,300 million year old Cigar Lake deposits in northern Saskatchewan have been investigated using X ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X ray Diffraction (XRD). The XPS spectra showed the peaks for U, Pb, 0, C, Si, Ca and Mg. Analysis of highresolution XPS spectra showed that the oxidation state of uranium in these minerals is equal to, or lower than, that of U3O7. The XRD data confirm the presence of an oxidized phase, most likely α U3O7., in addition to UO2. The low U(VI)/U(IV) ratio in these minerals is consistent with the low uranium concentration found in groundwater in contact with these uranium minerals. The relevance of these results to the disposal concept of used nuclear fuel in the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 112: Symposium P – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XI , 1987 , 465
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1988

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