Investigation of sulphur isotope variation due to different processes applied during uranium ore concentrate production

Judit Krajkó*, Zsolt Varga, Maria Wallenius, Klaus Mayer, Rudy Konings

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)
52 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The applicability and limitations of sulphur isotope ratio as a nuclear forensic signature have been studied. The typically applied leaching methods in uranium mining processes were simulated for five uranium ore samples and the n(34S)/n(32S) ratios were measured. The sulphur isotope ratio variation during uranium ore concentrate (UOC) production was also followed using two real-life sample sets obtained from industrial UOC production facilities. Once the major source of sulphur is revealed, its appropriate application for origin assessment can be established. Our results confirm the previous assumption that process reagents have a significant effect on the n(34S)/n(32S) ratio, thus the sulphur isotope ratio is in most cases a process-related signature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1113-1121
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Volume309
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Nuclear forensics
  • Origin assessment
  • Process-related signature
  • Sulphur isotope
  • Uranium leaching
  • Uranium ore concentrate

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