Attribution of uranium ore concentrates using elemental and anionic data

Keegan, Elizabeth; Wallenius, Maria; Mayer, Klaus; Varga, Zsolt; Rasmussen, Gert

doi:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2012.05.009

Cited by 64 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A significant conclusion from this work is that the ratios of anion concentrations provide a more robust signature than the concentrations of individual anions. Further work by Keegan et al (2012) confirmed that anionic impurities do appear to provide evidence of UOC processing steps. For example, high Cl − /SO 4 2− ratios are observed in UOCs from mills that use NaCl/H 2 SO 4 as an eluent and NaCl strip solutions during processing.…”

Section: Trace Elementsmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Despite this progress, no single parameter has yet been identified that is able to discern the identity and origin of unknown UOC samples. Increasingly, combined isotopic fingerprinting approaches are used to constrain the provenance and processing history of samples, and multivariate statistical techniques are used to discriminate between different sources of UOCs (Keegan et al 2008(Keegan et al , 2012(Keegan et al , 2014Bayne et al 2009;Robel et al 2009Robel et al , 2011Sirven et al 2009;Varga et al 2010). Likewise, approaches to chronometry have evolved over time, toward an increasing emphasis on obtaining concordant results from multiple parent, daughter, and granddaughter systems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although REE patterns were found to be distinctive forensic signatures for UOCs, the consensus is that in isolation REE patterns are not sufficient to distinguish UOCs of differing origins, and they must instead be used in conjunction with other trace elemental and isotopic impurity signatures (i.e., Badaut et al 2009, Varga et al 2010b, Keegan et al 2012. REE patterns are more likely to indicate deposit type than to indicate a specific deposit, and in many cases (i.e., sandstonehosted deposits, intrusive deposits), the pattern is insufficiently distinct to be diagnostic.…”

Section: Trace Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

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Nuclear forensic science seeks to identify the origin of nuclear materials found outside regulatory control. It is increasingly recognized as an integral part of a robust nuclear security program. This review highlights areas of active, evolving research in nuclear forensics, with a focus on analytical techniques commonly employed in Earth and planetary sciences. Applications of nuclear forensics to uranium ore concentrates (UOCs) are discussed first. UOCs have become an attractive target for nuclear forensic researchers because of the richness in impurities compared to materials produced later in the fuel cycle. The development of chronometric methods for age dating nuclear materials is then discussed, with an emphasis on improvements in accuracy that have been gained from measurements of multiple radioisotopic systems. Finally, papers that report on casework are reviewed, to provide a window into current scientific practice. Ian Hutcheon, our friend, colleague, and mentor, passed away on March 26, 2015, during the writing of this review paper. Ian (PhD, Physics, University of California, Berkeley, 1974)

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Section: Trace Elementsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Trace Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Kristo

Gaffney

Marks

et al. 2016

Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.

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“…Observed partitioning of REEs in U oxides appears to be strongly dependent on temperature, fluid chemistry and element availability (hypogene REE source), and thus these elements have been used extensively as forensic indicators (e.g. Fayek, ; Frimmel et al., ; Keegan, Wallenius, Mayer, Varga, & Rasmussen, ; Keegan et al., ; Mayer, Wallenius, & Fanghänel, ; Mayer, Wallenius, & Varga, ; Mercadier et al., ). At high temperatures, particularly above 350°C, incorporation mechanisms that discriminate against available cations based upon size are negated due to the dilational nature of the uraninite structure; this results in a relatively flat CN‐REE pattern (Mercadier et al., ).…”

Section: Uraninitementioning

confidence: 99%

A novel nuclear forensic tool involving deposit type normalized rare earth element signatures

et al. 2017

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Identifying the provenance of uranium‐rich materials is a critical objective of nuclear forensic analysis. Rare earth element (REE) distributions within uranium ores are well‐established forensic indicators, but quantifying and correlating trace element signatures for U ores to known deposits has thus far involved intricate statistical analyses. This study reports average chondrite normalized (CN)‐REE signatures for important U deposit types worldwide, which are then employed to evaluate U ore paragenesis using a simple linear regression analysis. This technique provides a straightforward method that can aid in determining the deposit type of U ores based on their REE abundances, and combined with other forensic indicators (e.g. radiogenic isotope signatures) can provide essential provenance information for nuclear materials.

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“…for providing evidence related to criminal acts involving nuclear or other radioactive materials). This information is obtained by measuring various/several parameters, such as major constituents, isotopic composition of the major elements or trace elements, products of radioactive decay, chemical, elemental, anionic or organic impurities, macroscopic appearance, microstructure, molecular composition and age [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Nuclear forensic science makes use of a variety of different analytical techniques already available from nuclear safeguards or other areas [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applicability of Raman spectroscopy as a tool in nuclear forensics for analysis of uranium ore concentrates

et al. 2013

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In the present study, the suitability of Raman spectroscopy for nuclear forensics is proven by a systematic investigation of laboratory-prepared synthetic and industrial uranium ore concentrate (UOC) samples, of different origin and with wide range of impurity content. Besides the identification of the compound type, the identification of process-related impurities observed in these samples is reported for the first time. Both handheld and laboratory Raman spectrometers were used in the measurements. The ability to measure different UOCs and the sufficient sensitivity of the handheld device demonstrate its usefulness in nuclear safeguards and nuclear security applications. Even more importantly in such a context, the likely identity of process-related impurities could be verified by Raman Spectroscopy in the present work, allowing to draw conclusions on the process history of the sample.

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Attribution of uranium ore concentrates using elemental and anionic data

Cited by 64 publications

References 14 publications

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

Nuclear Forensic Science: Analysis of Nuclear Material Out of Regulatory Control

A novel nuclear forensic tool involving deposit type normalized rare earth element signatures

Applicability of Raman spectroscopy as a tool in nuclear forensics for analysis of uranium ore concentrates

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