Determination of the Uranium Content in Some Natural Formations in Morocco by Use of Nuclear Analytical Methods

ABSTRACT

In this work, we report the measurement of uranium content in some natural formation samples in Morocco. Such results are used in several studies concerning the earth sciences and the environment such as geochronology, archaeology, geophysical and geophysical studies, and prospecting of radioactive pollution. The analyses were carried out on some natural deposits such as corals, fossil shells of mollusks, phosphates, travertines, lichens, and on impure carbonate deposits. Measurements were realized by alpha-spectrometry for fossil shells of mollusks, corals, travertines, and impure carbonates, by gamma spectrometry using a well detector with NaI scintillation for phosphates, and by neutron activation for lichens. Isotopic ²³⁴U/²³⁸U ratios were also measured and are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• corals
• impure carbonates
• lichens
• natural radioactivity
• phosphates
• shell mollusks
• travertine
• uranium

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was realized through UFR “Faibles Radioactivités, Physique Mathématique et Environnement” and PROTARS II (no. P21/60 ) cadre.