Reconnaissance study of uranium and fluorine contents of stream and lake waters, West Greenland

Abstract

The present study forms part of a current investigation on the applicability of geochemical methods in mineral exploration in Greenland. The sampling programme of 1981 comprised three parts: (1) A helicopter supported, low density, regional sampling (1 sample/3D km2 ) of stream water and stream sediment in the area covered by map sheet 66 V.2, south-east of Søndre Strømfjord. A total of 207 water samples was obtained. (2) Detailed sampling within a 20 km2 area of lake and stream water (71 samples) from a camp at 66°49'N, 25°37'W, 25 km south-west of Søndre Strømfjord. (3) Reconnaissance sampling, by boat, along the southern part of the west coast of Greenland. The aim of this reconnaissance was to obtain information on the character of the drainage systems and on the availability of sample media (water, stream sediment, aquatic moss) for geochemical exploration. A total of 195 water samples was collected. In addition, rust zones and areas of known mineralisation along the coast were sampled. The present report deals with a study of the water samples only. The following topics will be treated: (1) The variation in pH, conductivity, F and U contents. (2) The effect of filtering and acidifying stream water samples on the results of the measurements. In addition, the logistic conditions for low density sampling of drainage systems will be shortly discussed.