Evaluation of Hydrouranium Anomalies in the Crystallines Along the Southwestern Margin of Cuddapah Basin, Andhra Pradesh, India

Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, especially correlation study and factor analysis of uranium and other major ions in the groundwater of Chenchalapalle-Mulapalle area, known for its fracture controlled uranium mineralization, in the southwestern crystalline margin of Middle-Upper Proterozoic Cuddapah basin have revealed - (i) several well defined and distinct anomaly zones of > 200, > 500, > 1000 ppb of uranium, (ii) enriching factors like TDS(Ec), HCO₃^-, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺² , Mg⁺², Cl^-, SO₄^-2 have poor to negligible influence on high uranium content and (iii) factor-3, identified as "mineralization factor" has high loading for uranium (0.948). The study on saturation indices of several uranium and other minerals indicated undersaturation for most of the aqueous uranium species, except for a few hydroxides. Particularly, schoepite (2UO₃.5H₂O) has low to moderate degree of supersaturation in samples from major anomalous zones.

Based on the distinctive hydrogeochemical attributes and geological and structural favourability factors, the tracts in the vicinity of Varikuntapalle (VKP). Dapepalle (DPL) and Pulikunta (PLK) villages, between Chenchalapalle-Mulapalle area in the southwestern crystalline margin of Cuddapah basin, are designated as potential target areas for detailed exploration.