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Radiological and mineralogical characterization of black sands from the eastern coast of Uruguay.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Radiological and mineralogical characterization of black sands from the eastern coast of Uruguay.
Authors: Bañobre, Cristina1 (AUTHOR) cbanobre@cure.edu.uy, Vioque, Ignacio2 (AUTHOR), Abre, Paulina3 (AUTHOR), Fornaro, Laura1 (AUTHOR), García-Tenorio, Rafael2,4 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Radioanalytical & Nuclear Chemistry. Jun2026, Vol. 335 Issue 6, p4309-4321. 13p.
Subject Terms: *Monazite, *Radioactivity, *Sand, *Ilmenite, *Coasts, *Rare earth metals, *Mineralogical chemistry, *Radioactive substances
Geographic Terms: Uruguay
Abstract: Black sands from the eastern coast of Uruguay were studied to identify and characterize their radioactive mineral fraction. Autoradiography, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to analyze their mineralogy and geochemistry. The detrital fraction is mainly composed of Fe and Ti oxides (magnetite and ilmenite), with monazite, zircon, and garnet as significant components. Monazite was the only mineral showing detectable radioactivity, with Ce-dominance and homogeneous rare earth element (REE) distribution. Ilmenite showed compositional heterogeneity and monazite and zircon inclusions. Results contribute to understanding natural radioactivity in coastal mineral deposits. Despite the presence of monazite and its intrinsic radioactive content, the overall radiological significance of the bulk black sands is considered low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Description
Abstract:Black sands from the eastern coast of Uruguay were studied to identify and characterize their radioactive mineral fraction. Autoradiography, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to analyze their mineralogy and geochemistry. The detrital fraction is mainly composed of Fe and Ti oxides (magnetite and ilmenite), with monazite, zircon, and garnet as significant components. Monazite was the only mineral showing detectable radioactivity, with Ce-dominance and homogeneous rare earth element (REE) distribution. Ilmenite showed compositional heterogeneity and monazite and zircon inclusions. Results contribute to understanding natural radioactivity in coastal mineral deposits. Despite the presence of monazite and its intrinsic radioactive content, the overall radiological significance of the bulk black sands is considered low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02365731
DOI:10.1007/s10967-026-10915-y