| Citation: | LIU Yang，LUO Ning，LI Jianmin，et al. The genesis of uranium reservoirs in the upper Cretaceous Saihan Formation in the central Ulanqab Depression of the Erlian Basin and their constraints on uranium mineralization[J]. Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology，2025，44（6）：1-15 doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250202
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The uranium reservoir is the foundation of sandstone-type uranium mineralization. Therefore, studying the genesis of uranium reservoirs is the essential for understanding uranium mineralization processes and evaluating uranium mineralization potential.
This paper conducts a genetic analysis of the uranium reservoir in the Saihan Formation in the central part of the Ulanqab Depression in the Erlian Basin based on analyses of the sand dispersal system, detrital components of sediments, heavy mineral assemblages, and elemental composition.
The study found that the average contents of quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments in the sandstone are 51%, 27%, and 12%, respectively. The average values of Fe2O3T/K2O and SiO2/Al2O3 are 0.12 and 8.61, respectively, with an average CIA value of 61.83. The average Eu/Eu* value is 0.75. A total of 23 major heavy minerals were identified in the sandstone, with average ATi and ZGi values of 35.2 and 48.8, respectively, and ZTR values ranging between 24.2% and 71.6%.
These characteristics indicate that the sandstone types in the Saihan Formation are feldspathic sandstone and lithic sandstone, with the parent rocks primarily composed of intermediate-acidic magmatic rocks. The chemical weathering intensity of the parent rocks in the source area is moderate, reflecting strong chemical weathering under warm and humid conditions. The tectonic setting of the parent rocks in the source area is mainly continental margin, with the provenance primarily derived from the Sonid Uplift. Based on comprehensive analysis, it is concluded that during the Permian-Triassic and Cretaceous-Jurassic periods, intermediate-acidic granites formed in the Sonid Uplift under continental margin tectonic setting. Under warm and humid climatic conditions, these rocks underwent intense weathering, and the resulting detrital materials were transported by fluids into the basin, forming the uranium-bearing sandstone of the upper Saihan Formation.The uranium was enriched, through uranium mineralization processesand formed sandstone-type uranium deposits.
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