Uranium in the mineralized lakes of Altai Krai

Abstract

Data on the physicochemical properties (pH, Eh, salinity) and content of U and other trace elements (As, Li, B, Br, I, Sr) are provided for the mineralized lakes of the Kulundinskaya steppe of Altai Krai. The sodic lakes of the region are characterized by higher U²³⁸ contents (up to 4 mg/l). The U contents in the lake waters are positively correlated with the sum of carbonate and hydrocarbonate ions and the pH of waters and are negatively correlated with salinity. These data confirm the presence of an economic U-bearing zone of the ground reservoir oxidation located along the eastern slope of the Platovskoe uplift in the northwestern direction along the boundary with Kazakhstan.