A novel nuclear forensic tool involving deposit type normalized rare earth element signatures

作者：Spano Tyler L^*; Simonetti Antonio; Wheeler Thomas; Carpenter Grace; Freet Devonee; Balboni Enrica; Dorais Corinne; Burns Peter C

来源：Terra Nova, 2017, 29(5): 294-305.

DOI：10.1111/ter.12275

Identifying the provenance of uranium-rich materials is a critical objective of nuclear forensic analysis. Rare earth element (REE) distributions within uranium ores are well-established forensic indicators, but quantifying and correlating trace element signatures for U ores to known deposits has thus far involved intricate statistical analyses. This study reports average chondrite normalized (CN)-REE signatures for important U deposit types worldwide, which are then employed to evaluate U ore paragenesis using a simple linear regression analysis. This technique provides a straightforward method that can aid in determining the deposit type of U ores based on their REE abundances, and combined with other forensic indicators (e.g. radiogenic isotope signatures) can provide essential provenance information for nuclear materials.

• 出版日期2017-10