Uranium and other element geochemical covariation in a granitic host rock and in the derived sediment, Deep Creek Range, Juab County, Utah

Correlation and factor analysis of geochemical data from a Tertiary biotite quartz monzonite, the Ibapah stock, and from derived sediment shows on comparison a major shift in element covariation among uranium and 24 other elements. Samples used were collected for a 1978 study in the central part of the Deep Creek Range, Juab County, Utah.

Computed correlations among elements in granitic igneous rock samples suggest a high degree of covariation among elements that compose the rock. Uranium, however, shows significant correlation with only 12 elements and almost zero correlation with thorium. Computed correlations among elements in the derived sediment suggest that major decreases have occurred in covariation of the elements in the derived sands. Uranium in the sands, however, shows 15 significant correlations compared to 12 in the igneous rock samples, and shows an extremely high correlation with thorium. Factor analysis shows three geochemical petrogenic factors and the regional Be-U mineralization factor in the igneous rocks, and two mechanical segregation and one chemical precipitation factors in the sediments.