Preliminary report on the uranium favorability of the Hartselle sandstone and the Pottsville formation in the Coosa basin, Alabama

The Hartselle Sandstone and the Pottsville Formation in the Coosa basin were studied to determine if the units appear favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits. The study involved a literature synthesis, field work, and sampling of rock outcrops for petrographic and chemical analyses. Results indicate that the Hartselle Sandstone and the Pottsville Formation possess characteristics favorable for uranium mineralization to have occurred. Alteration features and evidence of secondary mineralization at surface exposures suggest that both the Hartselle and Pottsville may possess additional favorable characteristics in the subsurface. Because of extensive leaching and oxidation of Hartselle and Pottsville exposures, the results from chemical analyses for U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ and scintillometer surveys may not be an accurate indication of favorability for uranium occurrences in the area. Low chemical uranium values obtained from fluorometric analyses as well as the low radioactivity observed in the field do not necessarily indicate a low potential for uranium mineralization at depth.