Stable isotope geochemistry and diagenetic mineralization associated with the Tono sandstone-type uranium deposit in Japan |
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Authors: | N Shikazono M Utada |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Earth Sciences, Keio University, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 223, Japan, JP;(2) University Museum, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan, JP |
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Abstract: | The Tono sandstone-type uranium mine area, middle Honsyu, Japan is composed of Miocene lacustrine sedimentary rocks in the
lower part (18–22 Ma) and marine facies in the upper part (15–16 Ma). Calcite and pyrite occur as dominant diagenetic alteration
products in these Neogene sedimentary rocks. The characteristics of calcite and pyrite differ significantly between lacustrine
and marine facies. Abundant pyrite, calcite, organic matter, and small amounts of marcasite or pyrrhotite occur in the lacustrine
facies, whereas small amounts of calcite and framboidal pyrite, organic matter and no marcasite or pyrrhotite are found within
the marine units. The δ13C values of calcite in the lacustrine deposits are low (−19 to −6‰ PDB) but those in marine formation are high (−11 to +3‰).
This implies that the contribution of marine carbonate is larger in upper marine sedimentary rocks, and carbon in calcite
in the lower lacustrine formation was derived both from oxidation of organic matter and from dissolved marine inorganic carbon.
The δ34S values of framboidal pyrite in the upper marine formation are low (−14 to −8‰ CDT), indicating a small extent of bacterial
seawater sulfate reduction, whereas those of euhedral-subhedral pyrite in the lower lignite-bearing arkose sandstone are high
(+10 to +43‰), implying a large extent of closed-system bacterial seawater sulfate reduction. The δ34S and δ13C data which deviate from a negative correlation line toward higher δ13C values suggest methanogenic CO2 production. During diagenesis of the lacustrine unit, large amounts of euhedral-subhedral pyrite were formed, facilitated
by extensive bacterial reduction of seawater sulfate with concomitant oxidation of organic matter, and by hydrolysis reactions
of organic matter, producing CH4 and CO2. Uranium minerals (coffinite and uraninite) were also formed at this stage by the reduction of U6+ to U4+. The conditions of diagenetic alteration within the lacustrine deposits and uranium mineralization is characterized by low
Eh in which nearly equal concentrations of CH4 and HCO3
− existed and reduced sulfur species (H2S, HS−) are predominant among aqueous sulfur species, whereas diagenetic alteration of the marine formations was characterized by
a predominance of SO4
2− among dissolved sulfur species. Modern groundwater in the lacustrine formation has a low Eh value (−335 mV). Estimated and
measured low Eh values of modern and ancient interstitial waters in lacustrine environments indicate that a reducing environment
in which U4+ is stable has been maintained since precipitation of uranium minerals.
Received: 9 February 1996 / Accepted: 11 April 1997 |
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