Unconformity-type uranium deposits are characterized by mineralization developed along the contact between younger sandstone cover and underlying crystalline basement rocks. Twenty-five sandstone samples were collected at the Ngondo Complex of southwestern Cameroon along the unconformity contact from Bonako through Nyanga to Sole. Petrographic studies on thin sections revealed the presence of sub-rounded to angular quartz grains (80% grains) and ferruginous cement (20% cement). Some quartz grains also showed evidence of deformation. Radioelement concentrations for U, Th and K were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The samples showed the various element concentration ranges; 0.0-3.3ppm U, 5.5-11.1ppm Th and 0.1-1.3% K. Variations in the U, Th and K concentration in the sandstone is related to the bedrock geology. The sandstones were also analysed for 21 associated elements using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. Most of the samples showed moderate concentrations of CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, TiO2, K2O, Zr, Sr, Nb, Cr and V. Matrix of Pearson’s correlation shows positive correlation between the following; U/Zn; U/Sc, V, Cr; U/Ti; Zn/Nb, Ba, TiO2; Zn/Zr, V/Zn, Rb, Cr, Ba. These reflect the geology of the study area and also suggest the presence of heavy mineral phases like zircon, monazite, rutile.
Published in | Earth Sciences (Volume 6, Issue 1) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11 |
Page(s) | 1-9 |
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Unconformity-type, Uranium, Ngondo Complex, Cameroon
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APA Style
Juliana Amboh Tifang, Cheo Emmanuel Suh, Ekah Nzume Ndimeh, Ze Achille Desire, Mero Yannah. (2017). Preliminary Survey for Uranium in Cretaceous Sandstones of Bonako-Sole Areas, Ngondo Complex, Southwestern Cameroon. Earth Sciences, 6(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11
ACS Style
Juliana Amboh Tifang; Cheo Emmanuel Suh; Ekah Nzume Ndimeh; Ze Achille Desire; Mero Yannah. Preliminary Survey for Uranium in Cretaceous Sandstones of Bonako-Sole Areas, Ngondo Complex, Southwestern Cameroon. Earth Sci. 2017, 6(1), 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11
AMA Style
Juliana Amboh Tifang, Cheo Emmanuel Suh, Ekah Nzume Ndimeh, Ze Achille Desire, Mero Yannah. Preliminary Survey for Uranium in Cretaceous Sandstones of Bonako-Sole Areas, Ngondo Complex, Southwestern Cameroon. Earth Sci. 2017;6(1):1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11
@article{10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11, author = {Juliana Amboh Tifang and Cheo Emmanuel Suh and Ekah Nzume Ndimeh and Ze Achille Desire and Mero Yannah}, title = {Preliminary Survey for Uranium in Cretaceous Sandstones of Bonako-Sole Areas, Ngondo Complex, Southwestern Cameroon}, journal = {Earth Sciences}, volume = {6}, number = {1}, pages = {1-9}, doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20170601.11}, abstract = {Unconformity-type uranium deposits are characterized by mineralization developed along the contact between younger sandstone cover and underlying crystalline basement rocks. Twenty-five sandstone samples were collected at the Ngondo Complex of southwestern Cameroon along the unconformity contact from Bonako through Nyanga to Sole. Petrographic studies on thin sections revealed the presence of sub-rounded to angular quartz grains (80% grains) and ferruginous cement (20% cement). Some quartz grains also showed evidence of deformation. Radioelement concentrations for U, Th and K were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The samples showed the various element concentration ranges; 0.0-3.3ppm U, 5.5-11.1ppm Th and 0.1-1.3% K. Variations in the U, Th and K concentration in the sandstone is related to the bedrock geology. The sandstones were also analysed for 21 associated elements using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. Most of the samples showed moderate concentrations of CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, TiO2, K2O, Zr, Sr, Nb, Cr and V. Matrix of Pearson’s correlation shows positive correlation between the following; U/Zn; U/Sc, V, Cr; U/Ti; Zn/Nb, Ba, TiO2; Zn/Zr, V/Zn, Rb, Cr, Ba. These reflect the geology of the study area and also suggest the presence of heavy mineral phases like zircon, monazite, rutile.}, year = {2017} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Preliminary Survey for Uranium in Cretaceous Sandstones of Bonako-Sole Areas, Ngondo Complex, Southwestern Cameroon AU - Juliana Amboh Tifang AU - Cheo Emmanuel Suh AU - Ekah Nzume Ndimeh AU - Ze Achille Desire AU - Mero Yannah Y1 - 2017/02/27 PY - 2017 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11 DO - 10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11 T2 - Earth Sciences JF - Earth Sciences JO - Earth Sciences SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2328-5982 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20170601.11 AB - Unconformity-type uranium deposits are characterized by mineralization developed along the contact between younger sandstone cover and underlying crystalline basement rocks. Twenty-five sandstone samples were collected at the Ngondo Complex of southwestern Cameroon along the unconformity contact from Bonako through Nyanga to Sole. Petrographic studies on thin sections revealed the presence of sub-rounded to angular quartz grains (80% grains) and ferruginous cement (20% cement). Some quartz grains also showed evidence of deformation. Radioelement concentrations for U, Th and K were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The samples showed the various element concentration ranges; 0.0-3.3ppm U, 5.5-11.1ppm Th and 0.1-1.3% K. Variations in the U, Th and K concentration in the sandstone is related to the bedrock geology. The sandstones were also analysed for 21 associated elements using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer. Most of the samples showed moderate concentrations of CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, TiO2, K2O, Zr, Sr, Nb, Cr and V. Matrix of Pearson’s correlation shows positive correlation between the following; U/Zn; U/Sc, V, Cr; U/Ti; Zn/Nb, Ba, TiO2; Zn/Zr, V/Zn, Rb, Cr, Ba. These reflect the geology of the study area and also suggest the presence of heavy mineral phases like zircon, monazite, rutile. VL - 6 IS - 1 ER -