J. Janeczek et Rc. Ewing, MECHANISMS OF LEAD RELEASE FROM URANINITE IN THE NATURAL FISSION REACTORS IN GABON, Geochimica et cosmochimica acta, 59(10), 1995, pp. 1917-1931
Twenty-four samples of uranium ore from the natural fission reactors i
n Gabon were studied by detailed electron microprobe analysis and back
scattered electron imaging in order to determine the behavior of radio
genic Pb and fissiongenic nuclides. Lead content in uraninite varies f
rom 19 wt% PbO in relicts of pristine uraninite, which were found only
in reactor zone 10, to less than 5 wt% in altered uraninites. Differe
nt mechanisms of Pb loss from uraninite prevailed in different reactor
zones and included leaching, grain boundary diffusion, exsolution via
continuous precipitation, and volume diffusion. As a result of these
processes, Pb content in uraninites from all the reactor zones, except
for reactor zone 10, are similar and vary around a mean value of 5.2
wt% PbO. All of these processes were thermally activated and episodic.
The predominance of any single mechanism in a particular reactor zone
was controlled by the accessibility of solutions to the uranium ore.
The thermal event which caused Pb mobilization in the deposits resulte
d from regional igneous activity in the Franceville Basin more than 11
00 Ma after the reactors sustained spontaneous fission reactions. Redu
cing conditions prevented the long distance migration of Pb, as well a
s of fissiongenic Mo and Ru.