A Preliminary Biogeochemical Study over the Uraniferous Quartz-Pebble—Conglomerate Zone near Kalasapura, Chickmagalur District, Karnataka, Southern India
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Geology, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India. 2 Department of Geology, School of Earth Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburgi, India.
1 Department of Geology, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India. 2 Department of Geology, School of Earth Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburgi, India.
ABSTRACT
Quartz-pebble-conglomerate (QPC) bearing unconformable zone at the base of Bababudan Group of rocks in Dharwar Craton in southern India is well known for its stratigraphic significance and uraniferous nature. Over this QPC zone, soil cover is very thin which is almost devoid of vegetation. A cursory biogeochemical study here indicated poor (170 to 520 ppb) uranium content in the scantily occurring herbs and shrub species as well as in the soil substratum (1.8 - 3.1 ppm). The values in plant species are much below the background values. Almost barren nature of soil surface and stunted growth of herb and shrub species suggested that geobotanical rather than biogeochemical study is more serviceable as a clue for the hidden QPC-type horizons, which quite often bear signatures of uranium mineralization.
Quartz-pebble-conglomerate (QPC) bearing unconformable zone at the base of Bababudan Group of rocks in Dharwar Craton in southern India is well known for its stratigraphic significance and uraniferous nature. Over this QPC zone, soil cover is very thin which is almost devoid of vegetation. A cursory biogeochemical study here indicated poor (170 to 520 ppb) uranium content in the scantily occurring herbs and shrub species as well as in the soil substratum (1.8 - 3.1 ppm). The values in plant species are much below the background values. Almost barren nature of soil surface and stunted growth of herb and shrub species suggested that geobotanical rather than biogeochemical study is more serviceable as a clue for the hidden QPC-type horizons, which quite often bear signatures of uranium mineralization.
Cite this paper
Prabhakar, B. , Rashmi, B. and Gireesh, R. (2015) A Preliminary Biogeochemical Study over the Uraniferous Quartz-Pebble—Conglomerate Zone near Kalasapura, Chickmagalur District, Karnataka, Southern India. International Journal of Geosciences, 6, 987-992. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2015.69078.
Prabhakar, B. , Rashmi, B. and Gireesh, R. (2015) A Preliminary Biogeochemical Study over the Uraniferous Quartz-Pebble—Conglomerate Zone near Kalasapura, Chickmagalur District, Karnataka, Southern India. International Journal of Geosciences, 6, 987-992. doi: 10.4236/ijg.2015.69078.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-9268(98)00037-0 [3] Brooks, R.R (1972) Geobotany and Biogeochemistry in Mineral Exploration. Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 290. [4] Brooks, R.R. and Yang, X.H. (1984) Elemental Levels and Relationships in the Endemic Serpentine Flora of the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe and Their Significance as Controlling Factors for the Flora. Taxon, 33, 392-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1220976 [5] Kovalevsky, A.L. (1987) Biogeochemical Exploration for Mineral Deposits (Brooks, R.R., Ed.). 2nd Edition, Trans. Russia, VNU Science Press, Utrecht, Vol. 224. [6] Rashmi, B.N., Prabhakar, B.C., Gireesh, R.V., Suresh, B., Nijagunaiah, R. and Ranganath, R.M. (2010) Geobotanical and Biogeochemical Study of Chromite Bearing Areas of Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Karnataka. Current Science, 99, 619-627. [7] Rose, A.W., Hawkes, H.E. and Webb, J.S. (1990) Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration. Academic Press, Waltham, MA. [8] Rashmi, B.N., Prabhakar, B.C., Gireesh, R.V., Nijagunaiah, R and Ranganath, R.M. (2009) Nickel Anomalies in Ultramafic Profiles of Jayachamarajapura Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton. Current Science, 96, 1512-1517.
[1] Radhakrishna, B.P. (1996) Mineral Resources of Karnataka. Geol. Soc. India pub., Bangalore. [2] Chardon, D., Choukroune, P and Jayananda, M (1998) Sinking of the Dharwar Basin (South India): Implications for Archaean Tectonics. Precambrian Research, 91, 15-39.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-9268(98)00037-0 [3] Brooks, R.R (1972) Geobotany and Biogeochemistry in Mineral Exploration. Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 290. [4] Brooks, R.R. and Yang, X.H. (1984) Elemental Levels and Relationships in the Endemic Serpentine Flora of the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe and Their Significance as Controlling Factors for the Flora. Taxon, 33, 392-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1220976 [5] Kovalevsky, A.L. (1987) Biogeochemical Exploration for Mineral Deposits (Brooks, R.R., Ed.). 2nd Edition, Trans. Russia, VNU Science Press, Utrecht, Vol. 224. [6] Rashmi, B.N., Prabhakar, B.C., Gireesh, R.V., Suresh, B., Nijagunaiah, R. and Ranganath, R.M. (2010) Geobotanical and Biogeochemical Study of Chromite Bearing Areas of Nuggihalli Schist Belt, Karnataka. Current Science, 99, 619-627. [7] Rose, A.W., Hawkes, H.E. and Webb, J.S. (1990) Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration. Academic Press, Waltham, MA. [8] Rashmi, B.N., Prabhakar, B.C., Gireesh, R.V., Nijagunaiah, R and Ranganath, R.M. (2009) Nickel Anomalies in Ultramafic Profiles of Jayachamarajapura Schist Belt, Western Dharwar Craton. Current Science, 96, 1512-1517.