A method for discriminating between biogenic and chemical origins of the ore-stage pyrite in a roll-type uranium deposit

Abstract

Other| October 01, 1971 A method for discriminating between biogenic and chemical origins of the ore-stage pyrite in a roll-type uranium deposit C. G. Warren C. G. Warren Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information C. G. Warren Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1554-0774 Print ISSN: 0361-0128 GeoRef, Copyright 2008, American Geological Institute. Abstract, Copyright, Society of Economic Geologists Economic Geology (1971) 66 (6): 919–928. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.66.6.919 Article history First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation C. G. Warren; A method for discriminating between biogenic and chemical origins of the ore-stage pyrite in a roll-type uranium deposit. Economic Geology 1971;; 66 (6): 919–928. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.66.6.919 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 SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract Some roll-type uranium deposits are marginal to an altered tongue in sandstone beds that originally contained more-or-less uniformly distributed pyrite. Mineralizing solutions percolated through the sandstone, oxidized nearly all the pre-existing pyrite, and then redeposited part of the pyrite downstream in an embryonic ore zone. The pyrite and the entire ore zone continued to migrate downstream in the sandstone, much as a sand dune migrates. The amount of pyrite in mature deposits varies systematically with the position in the ore body. It is postulated that the rate at which the pyrite was redeposited controlled the systematic variation in distribution of pyrite.Biogenic and chemical models which are described in the literature provide alternate explanations for the genesis of roll-type uranium deposits in sandstone. The different theoretical rates for the precipitation of pyrite in the two genetic models provide a distinctive distribution of pyrite that characterizes each process. The theoretical difference between the biogenic and chemical models provides a mathematical technique for identifying the origin of a deposit. Mathematical analysis of the pyrite content of a uranium deposit in the Shirley Basin, Wyoming, illustrates a practical application of the theory. Although a definite conclusion about the origin of roll-type deposits would require considerably more data than are now available, the pyrite content of this deposit does correspond to the theoretical pyrite content of the chemical model, suggesting that a disproportionation reaction was involved in its formation. 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.