Premium
A novel nuclear forensic tool involving deposit type normalized rare earth element signatures
Author(s) -
Spano Tyler L.,
Simonetti Antonio,
Wheeler Thomas,
Carpenter Grace,
Freet Devonee,
Balboni Enrica,
Dorais Corinne,
Burns Peter C.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/ter.12275
Subject(s) - provenance , radiogenic nuclide , geology , rare earth element , paragenesis , geochemistry , uranium , uranium ore , trace element , rare earth , mineralogy , materials science , mantle (geology) , metamorphic rock , metallurgy
Identifying the provenance of uranium‐rich materials is a critical objective of nuclear forensic analysis. Rare earth element ( REE ) distributions within uranium ores are well‐established forensic indicators, but quantifying and correlating trace element signatures for U ores to known deposits has thus far involved intricate statistical analyses. This study reports average chondrite normalized ( CN )‐ REE signatures for important U deposit types worldwide, which are then employed to evaluate U ore paragenesis using a simple linear regression analysis. This technique provides a straightforward method that can aid in determining the deposit type of U ores based on their REE abundances, and combined with other forensic indicators (e.g. radiogenic isotope signatures) can provide essential provenance information for nuclear materials.