Investigation of the U-236/U-238 isotope abundance ratio in uranium ores and yellow cake samples

Author(s)

Michaela Srncik, K. Mayer, Erich Hrnecek, Maria Wallenius, Z. Varga, Peter Steier, Gabriele Wallner

Abstract

Uranium ores and yellow cake samples of known geographic origin were investigated for their n(U-236)/n(U-238) isotope abundance ratio. Samples from four different uranium mines in Australia, Brazil and Canada were selected. Uranium was separated by UTEVA (R) Resin and was measured by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) at the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA). The measurement of the isotope abundance ratio n(U-236)/n (U-238) will be used to investigate possible correlations between the original mineral (uranium ore) and the intermediate product (yellow cake). Such correlations are useful indicators for nuclear forensic or for non-proliferation purposes.

Organisation(s)

Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Isotope Physics

External organisation(s)

Institute for Transuranium Elements

Journal

Radiochimica Acta: international journal for chemical aspects of nuclear science and technology

Volume

99

Pages

335-339

No. of pages

5

ISSN

0033-8230

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2011.1840

Publication date

2011

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

104003 Inorganic chemistry, 1030 Physics, Astronomy

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/d63a756c-bc63-4c23-b6e3-5c67099165b7