Paragenesis of the Temple Mountain uraniferous asphaltites, Emery County, Utah /
by Donald M. Hausen.

Description

Main Author

Hausen, Donald M.

Related Names

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Grand Junction Operations Office.

Language(s)

English

Published

Grand Junction, Colorado : United States Atomic Energy Commission, Grand Junction Operations Office, Production Evaluation Division, 1959.

Subjects

Paragenesis.
Uranium ores > Uranium ores / Utah > Uranium ores / Utah / Emery County.

Summary

The radiation effects of uraninite on hydrocarbons is believed responsible for both the corrosive nature and the polymerization of petroleum fractions. Irradiated hydrocarbons are activated by fragmentation and ionization of molecular groups. The resulting unsatisfied bonds become satisfied either by recombining with other ionized groups (i.e., polymerization or condensation) or by reacting with metallic compounds to form metallo-organic complexes. The nature of such bitumens is further diversified by hybrid humic-asphaltic complexes.
Penetration along ore zones by asphaltic bitumens resulted in selective replacement of both humic and metallic constituents. Lignitic wood was replaced by asphaltite, leaving little or no trace of former cell structures. Asphaltite nodules are pseudomorphic after concretions of uraninite and associated minerals. Their chemical composition is in part representative of the replaced minerals and may vary considerably. Asphaltic pseudomorphs are not true minerals but rather mineraloids whose variable composition reflects the nature of the host minerals.
Paragenetic study favors a post-ore, partly petroliferous origin for the uraniferous asphaltites in the Moss Back member of the Triassic Chinle formation at the Temple Mountain, Emery County, Utah. The prior U308 mineralization occurs as (1) replacements within lignitic and silicified wood, (2) concretionary nodules around centers of lignite, and (3) impregnations in sandstone rich in nondescript plant debris. Most of the primary minerals are closely related in time of formation. Early uraninite, montroseite, sphalerite, and galena were closely followed and partially replaced by later native arsenic, tennantite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and marcasite. Detrital quartz was partly replaced by the metallic minerals which were later partly replaced by bitumens. Both liquid and solid bitumens originated as petroleum fractions genetically unrelated to local organic remains.

Note

"March, 1959."

Physical Description

70 pages (1 folded) : illustrations, map ; 28 cm.

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