Relative behavior of uranium and lead in some acidic and chelating environments

Abstract

Cluff Lake uranium deposits, located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, are overlaid by various glacial sediments. In addition to uranium, several other metals are present in the mineralized zones. Among these elements, lead is one of the most abundant (partially as a product of uranium decay). The quantity represents approximately 8% of the total uranium content. During the glacial stages, mineralized particles have been dislocated and dispersed in the overburden. Uranium and lead are therefore both subject to the action of surficial biochemistry related to the nature of organic compounds. These organic materials, which are produced in both podzolic soils and swampy areas, have acidic and chelating properties. In the two types of environment (soils and swamps), uranium and lead are both affected by organic compounds which result in some similarities in their behaviour. However, due to the substantial differences in their chemical characteristics, lead has less mobility than uranium. A study carried out on some swamps and their margins shows how these differences could be used to allow the localization of their common origin.