Distribution of Radionuclides in the Surface Covering of the Barun Uranium Mining Area in Erlian Basin, Inner Mongolia

• Published in: Minerals (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 7; p. 973
• Main Authors: Yu, Cong, Jia, Binlin, Shi, Liancheng, Han, Mengke, Wang, Nanping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical methods; Anomalies; Aquifers; Distribution; Distribution patterns; Gamma rays; Gamma spectroscopy; gamma spectrum; Humidity; Mineral industry; Mining; Mining industry; Oxidation; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide kinetics; Radon; radon and calculated radon ratio; Radon levels; Sandstone; sandstone-type uranium deposit; Sandy soils; Sedimentary rocks; Soil analysis; Soil properties; soil radon; Soil surfaces; Spectroscopy; Spectrum analysis; Uranium; Uranium industry; uranium–thorium ratio; Austria; China; Mongolia
• ISSN: 2075-163X; 2075-163X
• DOI: 10.3390/min13070973

In order to identify the distribution pattern of radionuclides in the surface soil in the area of a sandstone-type uranium deposit, and to explore its spatial relationship with the location of the orebody, soil radon measurements and ground gamma-ray spectroscopy were carried out in the Barun study area, and soil properties were analyzed. The results show that the soil radon concentrations exhibited a bimodal feature, while the uranium content showed a decreasing trend along the tendency direction of the orebody. In the ground projection area of the orebody, radon concentration showed a positive correlation with uranium content, with both showing relatively low values. Combined with the results of field geological observation and soil property analysis, it is believed that the relatively low radon concentration and uranium content above the orebody is related to the soil being mainly sandy soil. Relatively high uranium values are distributed within approximately 1.5 km north of the northern boundary of the orebody and near the southern boundary of the orebody. High-value radon anomalies occur within about 2 km north of the northern boundary of the orebody and within about 1.3 km south of the southern boundary of the orebody.