Mineralogical, chemical and oxygen isotopic data on uraninites from natural fission reactors (Gabon): effects of weathering conditions
AbstractAbstract
[en] Nuclear fission reactions occurred 2000 Ma ago in the uraninites of the Oklo-Okelobondo and Bangombe uranium deposits (Gabon). These uraninites contain actinides and fission products and therefore are considered as natural analogues for artificial nuclear spent fuel of PWR type nuclear plant. Mineralogical, chemical and oxygen isotopic analyses have been performed in order to determine the stability of the uraninites in weathering conditions. Results show that the alteration of uraninites by meteoric waters affects the cell parameters and the chemistry of the uraninites but not the oxygen isotopic composition. Radiolysis of water is invoked as a possible mechanism for the very low values of δ18O (-22.0 0/00 SMOW) measured in the uraninites. (authors)
Original Title
Mineralogie, chimie et composition isotopique de l'oxygene des uraninites des reacteurs de fission naturels (Gabon): effets de l'alteration supergene
Primary Subject
Secondary Subject
Source
25 refs.
Record Type
Journal Article
Journal
Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences. Serie 2, Sciences de la Terre et des Planetes; ISSN 1251-8050; ; CODEN CRSPEA; (no.7t.326); p. 485-492
Country of publication
Descriptors (DEI)
Descriptors (DEC)
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS, CHEMICAL REACTIONS, DECOMPOSITION, ELEMENTS, EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI, GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS, ISOTOPES, LIGHT NUCLEI, MATERIALS, METALS, MINERALS, NATURAL NUCLEAR REACTORS, NUCLEI, OXIDE MINERALS, OXYGEN ISOTOPES, RADIATION EFFECTS, RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS, RADIOACTIVE MINERALS, STABLE ISOTOPES, URANIUM MINERALS
Reference NumberReference Number
INIS VolumeINIS Volume
INIS IssueINIS Issue