Uranium Redox State in Cretaceous Marine Shales of the Toolebuc Formation, Australia

Nine carbonaceous shale and two coquinite samples from the Cretaceous Toolebuc Formation in Australia were analyzed using high-energy resolution fluorescence detection x-ray absorption spectroscopy and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry. The dataset characterizes uranium oxidation state and distribution, reporting total organic carbon content from 0.3 to 13.4 wt% and uranium proportions of ~20 to 30% as U(VI). The data was presented at the 2023 Goldschmidt Conference and is hosted by the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Modeling uranium redox behavior in organic-rich marine environments based on reported U(VI) proportions.
• Correlating uranium speciation with total organic carbon content (5.9 to 13.4 wt%) for geochemical studies.
• Investigating nanoscale uranium associations with organic matter or sulphide minerals based on NanoSIMS results.
• Comparing uranium redox states between carbonaceous shales and coquinite samples for depositional environment analysis.

Strengths

• Data is derived from advanced analytical techniques (HERFD-XAS and NanoSIMS) for precise speciation.
• Sample characteristics are well-defined, including TOC ranges (0.3 to 13.4 wt%) and sample types (9 shales, 2 coquinites).
• Findings are linked to significant applications in hydrocarbon exploration, economic geology, and environmental management.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the specific Australian formation studied.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

High-energy resolution fluorescence detection x-ray absorption spectroscopy and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry on collected sediment samples.

Time Range

Cretaceous period (geological samples)

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 19:25:15.459980; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Toolebuc Formation, Eromanga Basin, Australia