Selective detection of uranium by laser-induced fluorescence: a potential remote-sensing technique 1: Optical characteristics of uranyl geologic targets

The remote sensing of laser-induced uranyl ion fluorescence is examined as a potential indicator of uranium occurring in geologic materials at the earth's surface. The lifetime and brightness of the fluorescence from a wide variety of rocks, minerals, and soils are reported. The distinctive characteristics of uranyl ion absorption and fluorescence were observed in diverse geologic materials such as chalcedonies and opals containing 15-3000 ppm of uranium and in surface coatings of uranyl minerals such as metaautunite, liebigite, and an-dersonite. The conditions which permit the excitation and selective detection of uranyl ion fluorescence from such targets are described.