Uranium Distribution in Separated Clinopyroxenes from Four Eclogites

• DOI: 10.1126/science.165.3888.57
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T12:14:21Z
• Authors: Kent C. Condie; C. S. Kuo; R. M. Walker; V. Rama Murthy
• Keywords: Uranium ore

Uranium concentrations and distributions in separated clinopyroxenes of eclogites from four different sites have been studied by the fission track method. Types uranium occurrences included (i) inhomogeneously distributed clusters, (ii) line at cracks, (iii) uniform body mineral. Different grains same sample generally vary factors 2 to 4 uniformly concentration. Samples locations their average concentration a factor approximately 1000 (that is, 0.01 20 parts per billion uranium). The degree homogeneity also varies markedly one site next. only oceanic locality (Salt Lake Crater) contained both largest (15 billion) most distribution. This study suggests that, if total eclogitic are less than few billion, much not may occur as contaminants along cracks or microinclusions unknown origin.