Uranium and rare earth elements in CO2-rich waters from Vals-les-Bains (France)

A study of rare earth elements and uranium in some waters from the Massif Central in France was conducted. Data on major elements and some other trace elements are presented. Fourteen springs from Vals-les-Bains were studied. The results illustrated the behaviour of trace elements in carbon dioxide rich waters. The main processes thought to control dissolved trace element behaviour by co-precipitation and adsorption were carbon dioxide outgassing, deposition of calcite, siderite and iron hydroxides, and changes in the redox conditions. The nature of the carbonate complexes and the redox conditions were the main factors affecting uranium in solution. Bicarbonate ion-pairing played an important role in iron solution chemistry.