Radioelement dispersion in a sedimentary environment and its effect on uranium exploration

Abstract

The radioelement content of the major part of the southeast Texas Coastal Plain sedimentary sequence falls within a range common for sand-stones and shales. Exceptions to the normal limit are mainly in small, widely scattered areas. One anomalous area, however, covers several tens of square miles and contains most of the important uranium deposits. Both mechanical and chemical dispersion of radioelements takes place in the immediate vicinity of the ore deposits, though no attempt is made to extend this local dispersion model to the large, regional gamma radiation anomaly. It is suggested that the point-source concept for sedimentary uranium deposits is unrealistic and that conventional aeroradiometric survey grid spacing can be substantially enlarged without seriously reducing efficiency in uranium exploration.