Biogeochemistry of uranium minerals

Cyclic behaviour in the earth's crust is probably easier to demonstrate for uranium than for most elements. The chenmical basis of that behaviour is described with the roles which organisms can play during their life and as organic residues - after their death. The way in which this behaviour has led to the redistribution of uranium in rocks (to form ore bodies in favourable cases) is considered together with the related topic of biogeochemical prospecting for uranium. Many of the same considerations are relevant to the recovery of uranium by leaching from broken rock and to the way in which the cycling of uranium may affect the environment. (Auth.)