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Recent developments in uranium exploration using the U.S. Geological Survey's mobile helium detector

Journal of Geochemical Exploration
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(79)90012-8

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Abstract

A mobile mass spectrometer to measure He concentrations has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. This instrument has been tested in areas of known uranium deposits, and He anomalies have been found in both soil gas and water. A gas sample is collected in a hypodermic syringe, injected into the spectrometer, and analyzed for He. Over 100 analyses a day can be performed with a sensitivity of 10 parts per billion (ppb). One detailed study conducted in Weld County, Colorado, shows that values for He in soil gas can be contoured to outline an anomalous area and that the anomaly is displaced from the deposit in the direction of groundwater flow. Other studies include the Schwartzwalder uranium mine, Jefferson County, Colorado, where He anomalies may be related to geologic structure; near Ambrosia Lake, New Mexico, where the location of He anomalies are related to groundwater movement; and tests for diurnal effects showing only slight variations probably related to soil-moisture content. ?? 1979.

Suggested Citation

Reimer, G., Denton, E., Friedman, I., and Otton, J.K., 1979, Recent developments in uranium exploration using the U.S. Geological Survey's mobile helium detector: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 11, no. 1, p. 1-12, https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(79)90012-8.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Recent developments in uranium exploration using the U.S. Geological Survey's mobile helium detector
Series title Journal of Geochemical Exploration
DOI 10.1016/0375-6742(79)90012-8
Volume 11
Issue 1
Year Published 1979
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 12 p.
First page 1
Last page 12
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