Role of organic matter in the Proterozoic Oklo natural fission reactors, Gabon, Africa

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1993 Role of organic matter in the Proterozoic Oklo natural fission reactors, Gabon, Africa Bartholomew Nagy; Bartholomew Nagy 1Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar François Gauthier-Lafaye; François Gauthier-Lafaye 2Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Géochimie de la Surface, 67084 Strasbourg, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Philippe Holliger; Philippe Holliger 3Commìssariat à l'Energie Atomique, Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Cadarache, 13108-Saint-Paul-lés-Durance Cedex, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David J. Mossman; David J. Mossman 4Department of Geology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick EOA 3C0, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joel S. Leventhal; Joel S. Leventhal 5U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, M.S. 973, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark J. Rigali Mark J. Rigali 1Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1993) 21 (7): 655–658. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0655:ROOMIT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 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 Bartholomew Nagy, François Gauthier-Lafaye, Philippe Holliger, David J. Mossman, Joel S. Leventhal, Mark J. Rigali; Role of organic matter in the Proterozoic Oklo natural fission reactors, Gabon, Africa. Geology 1993;; 21 (7): 655–658. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0655:ROOMIT>2.3.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 Of the sixteen known Oklo and the Bangombé natural fission reactors (hydro-thermally altered clastic sedimentary rocks that contain abundant uraninite and authigenic clay minerals), reactors 1 to 6 at Oklo contain only traces of organic matter, but the others are rich in organic substances. Reactors 7 to 9 are the subjects of this study. These organic-rich reactors may serve as time- tested analogues for anthropogenic nuclear-waste containment strategies. Organic matter helped to concentrate quantities of uranium sufficient to initiate the nuclear chain reactions. Liquid bitumen was generated from organic matter by hydrothermal reactions during nuclear criticality. The bitumen soon became a solid, consisting of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and an intimate mixture of cryptocrystalline graphite, which enclosed and immobilized uraninite and the fission-generated isotopes entrapped in uraninite. This mechanism prevented major loss of uranium and fission products from the natural nuclear reactors for 1.2 b.y. 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.