Micro-Textural Fingerprints of Uranium Minerals within Carbonaceous Debris: A Case Study from the Ordos Basin

Abstract

Carbonaceous debris (CD) is widely disseminated within sandstones in the Shuanglong uranium deposit, southern Ordos Basin, and is the dominant enrichment agent for uranium precipitation. The occurrence and chemical composition of uranium minerals within CD were investigated by using scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe analyses. The results show that uranium minerals mostly occur in cell pores in the forms of fructus aurantia and concentric band structure. Pitchblende and coffinite are the main uranium minerals, and the former is dominant. According to the crystal morphology and composition of trace elements of uranium minerals, uranium precipitation on the pores is grouped into two periods, orderly I, II. Moreover, the I period is further divided into two sub-period, orderly I₁, I₂. Moreover, askew sphere uranium minerals could indicate fluid migration. Under certain geological environment condition, uranium is unevenly adsorbed on the surface of the pore by the Van der Waals (i.e., I₁ period), and then is precipitated towards to the center of the pore until the whole pore is filled up with uranium minerals by complicated process such as microorganism activities (i. e., I₂, II period). It will provide some guidance for studying the metallogenic environment and genesis of sandstone-type uranium deposit.

Keywords

uranium occurrences / cell pores / carbonaceous debris / sandstone-type uranium deposit / Shuanglong uranium deposit

References

[1] Bone S E, Dynes J J, Cliff Jet al.. Uranium (IV) Adsorption by Natural Organic Matter in Anoxic Sediments. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2017, 114: 711-716

[2] Chen H B, Xu G Z, Wang J Pet al.. Mineralization Characteristics of Diantou Uranium Deposit in the Southern Margin of Ordos and in Comparison with Dongsheng Uranium Deposit. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2006, 80: 724-732(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[3] Cumberland S A, Douglas G, Grice Ket al.. Uranium Mobility in Organic Matter-Rich Sediments: A Review of Geological and Geochemical Processes. Earth-Science Reviews, 2016, 159: 160-185

[4] Cun X N, Wu B L, Zhang H Set al.. Study on Uranium Occurrence State of Daying Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Ordos Basin. Northwestern Geology, 2016, 49: 198-212(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[5] Cuney M, Mercadier J, Bonnetti C. Classification of Sandstone-Related Uranium Deposits. Journal of Earth Science, 2022, 33(2): 236-256

[6] Cuney M, Pechman V. Primary Radioactive Minerals: The Textural Patterns of Radioactive Mineral Paragenetic Associations, 1991, Greece, Theophrastus Publications235254

[7] Giordano T H. Giordano T H, Kettler R M, Wood S A. Organic Matter as a Transport Agent in Ore-Forming Systems. Ore Genesis and Exploration: The Roles of Organic Matter, 1997133155

[8] Harshman E N. Geology and Uranium Deposits, Shirley Basin Area, Wyoming: U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 745, 1972, Washington, United States Government Printing Office82

[9] He W J. Research on the Sedimentary System of Zhiluo-Anding Formation in the Southern of the Ordos Basin, 2007, Xi’an, Northwest University(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[10] Jiao Y Q, Wu L Q, Peng Y Bet al.. Sedimentary-Tectonic Setting of the Deposition-Type Uranium Deposits Forming in the Paleo-Asian Tectonic Domain, North China. Earth Science Frontiers, 2015, 22(1): 189-205(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[11] Jiao Y Q, Wu L Q, Rong Het al.. Review of Basin Uranium Resources in China. Earth Science, 2021, 46(8): 2675-2696(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[12] Jiao Y Q, Wu L Q, Rong Het al.. Sedimentation, Diagenesis and Uranium Mineralization: Innovative Discoveries and Cognitive Challenges in Study of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in China. Earth Science, 2022, 47: 3580-3602(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[13] Jin R S, Liu H J, Li X G. Theoretical System of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Northern China. Journal of Earth Science, 2022, 33(2): 257-277

[14] Langmuir D. Uranium Solution-Mineral Equilibria at Low Temperatures with Applications to Sedimentary Ore Deposits. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 1978, 42(6): 547-569

[15] Lecomte A, Michels R, Cathelineau Met al.. Uranium Deposits of Franceville Basin (Gabon): Role of Organic Matter and Oil Cracking on Uranium Mineralization. Ore Geology Reviews, 2020, 123: 103579

[16] Li S F, Zhang Y. Formation Mechanism of Uranium Minerals at Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits. Uranium Geology, 2004, 20(2): 80-8490 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

[17] Liu Y Q, Feng Q, Yang R Cet al.. Discussion on Genesis of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Dongsheng Area, Ordos Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2006, 80(5): 761-767(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[18] Min M Z, Luo X Z, Mao S Let al.. An Excellent Fossil Wood Cell Texture with Primary Uranium Minerals at a Sandstone-Hosted Roll-Type Uranium Deposit, NW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2001, 17(4): 233-239

[19] Min M Z, Peng X J, Wang Get al.. Existing State of Uranium in Ore from Interlayer Oxidation Zone Sandstone-Hosted Uranium Deposits, NW China. Uranium Geology, 2006, 22: 193-201

[20] Min M Z, Peng X J, Wang J Pet al.. Progress in Study on Microbe-Metallogenesis of Uranium. Uranium Geology, 2003, 19: 257-263

[21] Min M Z, Wang S C, Zhang F S. Formation Conditions of Coffinite from a Leaching-Deposition Uranium Deposit, South China. Journal of Nanjing University (Natural Science), 1995, 31(1): 103-108(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[22] Min M Z, Wu Y Y, Zhang W Let al.. A Densely Zoned Rhythmically Intergrowth Zoning of Coffinite and Pitchblende and Its Genetic Significance. Acta Mineralogica Sinica, 1999, 1: 15-19

[23] Min M Z, Zhang F S. Genetic Uranium Mineralogy, 1992, Beijing, Atomic Energy Press354(in Chinese)

[24] Murakami T, Sato T, Ohnuki Tet al.. Field Evidence for Uranium Nanocrystallization and Its Implications for Uranium Transport. Chemical Geology, 2005, 221(1/2): 117-126

[25] Nakashima S. Kinetics and Thermodynamics of U Reduction by Natural and Simple Organic Matter. Organic Geochemistry, 1992, 19(4/5/6): 421-430

[26] Rallakis D, Michels R, Brouand Met al.. The Role of Organic Matter on Uranium Precipitation in Zoovch Ovoo, Mongolia. Minerals, 2019, 9(5): 310

[27] Rallakis D, Michels R, Cathelineau Met al.. Conditions for Uranium Biomineralization during the Formation of the Zoovch Ovoo Roll-Front-Type Uranium Deposit in East Gobi Basin, Mongolia. Ore Geology Reviews, 2021, 138: 104351

[28] Ren Z L, Yu Q, Cui J Pet al.. Thermal History and Its Control on Oil and Gas of the Ordos Basin. Earth Science Frontiers, 2017, 24: 137-148(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[29] Ren Z L, Zhao Z Y, Zhang Jet al.. Research on Paleotemperature in the Ordos Basin. Acta Sedimentological Sinica, 1994, 12: 56-65(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[30] Wu S Y, Wang D S. Uranium Concentration by Organic Matter during Diagenesis and Mineralization in the Continental Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in Northern Sichuan. Uranium Geology, 1991, 7: 265-272(in Chinese)

[31] Xue C J, Chi G X, Xue W. Interaction of Two Fluid Systems in the Formation of Sandstone-Hosted Uranium Deposits in the Ordos Basin: Geochemical Evidence and Hydrodynamic Modeling. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2010, 106(1/2/3): 226-235

[32] Yang D Z, Yu M. The Development of Uranium Organic Geochemistry. Contributions to Geology and Mineral Resources Research, 2002, 16(4): 262-266(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[33] Yang X Y, Ling M X, Lai X Det al.. Uranium Mineral Occurrence of Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits in the Dongsheng-Huanglong Region, Ordos Basin. Acta Geologica Sinica, 2009, 83: 1167-1177(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[34] Zhang F. Enhancement of Organic Matter Maturation of Carbonaceous Debris Due to Radiogenic Heat from the Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposits, Ordos Basin, 2018, Wuhan, China University of Geosciences(in Chinese with English Abstract)

[35] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Liu Yet al.. Traces of Hydrocarbon-Bearing Fluid and Microbial Activities and Their Implications for Uranium Mineralization in Southern Ordos Basin, China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2021, 139: 104525

[36] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Wang S Met al.. Origin of Dispersed Organic Matter within Sandstones and Its Implication for Uranium Mineralization: A Case Study from Dongsheng Uranium Ore Filed in China. Journal of Earth Science, 2022, 33(2): 325-341

[37] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Wu L Qet al.. Enhancement of Organic Matter Maturation Because of Radiogenic Heat from Uranium: A Case Study from the Ordos Basin in China. AAPG Bulletin, 2019, 103(1): 157-176

[38] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Wu L Qet al.. Relations of Uranium Enrichment and Carbonaceous Debris within the Daying Uranium Deposit, Northern Ordos Basin. Journal of Earth Science, 2019, 30(1): 142-157

[39] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Wu L Qet al.. In-situ Analyses of Organic Matter Maturation Heterogeneity of Uranium-Bearing Carbonaceous Debris within Sandstones: A Case Study from the Ordos Basin in China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2019, 109: 117-129

[40] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Wu L Qet al.. Roles of Dispersed Organic Matters in Sandstone-Type Uranium Mineralization: A Review of Geological and Geochemical Processes. Ore Geology Reviews, 2021, 139: 104485

[41] Zhang F, Jiao Y Q, Wu L Qet al.. Relations between Pyrite Morphologies and Uranium Mineralization in the Shuanglong Region, Northern China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2022, 141: 104637

[42] Zhang F, Michels R, Jiao Y Qet al.. Roles of Natural Organic Matter in Fixing Uranium: Evidences from Uranium Oxidation State and Functional Groups of Organic Matter. Applied Geochemistry, 2025, 193: 106575

[43] Zhang F, Wang J Y, Jiao Y Qet al.. Geochemical Characteristics and Uranium Occurrence State of Carbonaceous-Siliceous Slates and Their Geological Significance for Uranium Mineralization: A Case Study from the Tichong Black Shale-Type Uranium Deposit. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2026, 280: 107927

[44] Zhang F, Wang S M, Jiao Y Qet al.. Trapping of Uranium by Organic Matter within Sandstones during Mineralization Process: A Case Study from the Shuanglong Uranium Deposit, China. Ore Geology Reviews, 2021, 138: 104296

[45] Zhang R X, Yang S Y. A Mathematical Model for Determining Carbon Coating Thickness and Its Application in Electron Probe Microanalysis. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2016, 22(6): 1374-1380

[46] Zhang X D, Qin Y, Sang S X. Status Quo and Prospect of Studies on CBM Reservoir Adsorptive Characteristics. Coal Geology of China, 2005, 17: 19-2432 (in Chinese with English Abstract)

[47] Zhao F M, Chen Z R, Zhang J Yet al.. Handbook of Uranium Mineral Identification, 1988, Beijing, Atomic Energy Press117119(in Chinese)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, Part of Springer Nature