Multivariate statistical analysis to support the National Uranium Resource Evaluation and to evaluate strategic and other commercially important mineral resources

From introduction: This report describes the results of water and sediment sampling within the New Mexico portions (or western halves) of the Hobbs'and Brownfield, New Mexico/Texas, National Topographic Map Series (NTMS) 1:250 000-scale quadrangles.

From introduction: This report describes work done in the Tularosa, New Mexico, National Topographic Map Series (NTMS) quadrangle (1:250 000 scale) by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) as part of the nationwide Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR).

Report describing the analysis of water and sediment samples taken from the Cheyenne quadrangle in Wyoming to determine if they contained uranium. Several areas were identified for further study, based on initial analyses.

Abstract: Multivariate statistical analyses were carried out on Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance data from the Craig quadrangle, Colorado, to support the National Uranium Resource Evaluation and to evaluate strategic or other important commercial mineral resources. A few areas for favorable uranium mineralization are suggested for parts of the Wyoming Basin, Park Range, and Gore Range. Six potential source rocks for uranium are postulated based on factor score mapping. Vanadium in stream sediments is suggested as a pathfinder for carnotite-type mineralization. A probable northwest trend of lead-zinc-copper mineralization associated with Tertiary intrusions is suggested. A few locations are mapped where copper is associated with cobalt. Concentrations of placer sands containing rare earth elements, probably of commercial value, are indicated for parts of the Sand Wash Basin.

From introduction: Reported herein are uranium and other elemental data resulting from the Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance (HSSR) of the Newcastle National Topographic Map Series (NTMS) quadrangle, Wyoming, by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL).

A sphere of LiD 2 feet in diameter was irradiated by 2 x 10<sup>15 14 Mev neutrons. Samples of Li<sup>7 metal were positioned at various radii for the irradiation. An analysis of these samples for tritium led to a determination of the number of tritons produced by 14 Mev neutrons acting on Li<sup>7 in a LiD system.

A measurement of the [Lithium-7] reaction cross section by absolute counting of the tritium betas is described. The cross section was measured at several neutron energies between 4 Mev and 15 Mev. A comparison with results by emulsion techniques is given.

The work of the Laboratory has greatly expanded into applications of nuclear energy which are significant for national defense and security, but are not directly connected with weapons development. It was felt, therefore, that a description of the non weapons activities of the Laboratory would serve a useful purpose at this time. For classification reasons, it has been necessary to issue the report in three parts; the third part concerns power reactor experiments.

The work of the Laboratory has expanded into applications of nuclear energy which are significant for natural defense and security, but are not directly connected with weapons development. It was felt, therefore, that a description of the nonweapons activities of the Laboratory would serve a useful purpose at this time.. For classification reasons, it has been necessary to issue the report in three parts; this is the first and is concerned with controlled thermonuclear reactions.

The experiments described in this report were designed to explore the feasibility of precipitating plutonium from 35 percent TBP in Gulf BT using peroxide, fluoride, sulfide, sulfite, sulfate, cocalate, hydroxide, iodate and phosphate ions from anhydrous, dilute and concentrated aqueous sources.

Thorium is determined in uranium alloys by means of a fluoride separation followed by a complexometric titration. A nitric of hydrochloric acid solution of the alloy is neutralized to a pH of 2.0 to 3.0 and the thorium precipitated as thorium fluoride by the addition of hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride using lanthanum as a carrier.