Uranium in the Carnmenellis granite, Cornwall, England

Samples from a 30 meter core from the Rosemanowas quarry in the Carnmenellis granite in Cornwall, England were analyzed by induced fission track detection, delayed neutron detection, backscattered electron imaging in a SEM, and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. Uranium occurs mainly in: (1) primary accessory minerals; (2) alteration and replacement phases, and (3) microcrack-sealing phases. Zircon, monazite, and apatite are common uraniferous primary accessory minerals. Uraniferous alteration phases include hematite, rutile and pyrolusite. Hematite is a common uraniferous replacement phase. Most sealed microcracks contain uranium. Hematite and pyrolusite are ubiquitous uraniferous crack-sealing phases. Autunite and churchite are occasional uraniferous crack-sealing phases. Whole rock uranium concentrations are extremely variable. High uranium contents result from high percentages of uraniferous primary accessory phases and/or rutile. Hydrothermal activity, such as hematization, can result in depleted whole rock uranium concentrations. Results of this study indicate that uranium and light rare earth elements have been mobilized and redistributed in this section of the Carnmenellis granite by postmagmatic processes. 28 refs., 13 figs. 2 tabs