Preliminary model of regional Mesozoic groundwater flow and uranium deposition in the Colorado Plateau

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1982 Preliminary model of regional Mesozoic groundwater flow and uranium deposition in the Colorado Plateau Richard F. Sanford Richard F. Sanford 1U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1982) 10 (7): 348–352. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1982)10<348:PMORMG>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Richard F. Sanford; Preliminary model of regional Mesozoic groundwater flow and uranium deposition in the Colorado Plateau. Geology 1982;; 10 (7): 348–352. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1982)10<348:PMORMG>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Qualitative and numerical simulation of regional groundwater flow in the Colorado Plateau during Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous time has led to a model of uranium deposition in areas of upwelling solutions. Paleogeographic reconstruction shows that surface drainage and therefore groundwater flow was generally toward the northeast and east. Croundwater flowing in these directions, principally through Triassic-Jurassic and Permian sandstones, encountered sediments of variable thickness due to buried uplifted or downdropped Precambrian blocks. The buried uplifted blocks caused upward movement of groundwater around them. These inferred zones of upwelling are closely associated with concentrations of Jurassic- and Cretaceous-age uranium deposits. The results are consistent with hypotheses of an upwelling brine mixing and reacting with descending meteoric water and causing uranium precipitation at the fluid interface. Whether the uranium came from above or below the interface is an unsolved problem, but this model helps to identify better the sources of the waters and also suggests target areas for exploration. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.