Elemental characterization of quartzite of Pouma sub-division of Cameroon and radiation attenuation properties based on XCOM and GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract

This study used the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry to determine the elemental composition of nineteen rock samples from the Pouma sub-division of Cameroon. The major chemical elements found in these samples were compounds of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, K₂O, Fe₂O₃, CaO, and P₂O₅. The elemental characterization of the investigated samples was used to evaluate the mass attenuation coefficients of the quartzite rocks using the XCOM analytical calculation software and the GEANT4 Monte Carlo computational toolkit. The mass attenuation coefficients were calculated for the average concentration values of the samples from different sampling sites. The mass attenuation coefficients generated using the GEANT4 simulation have uncertainties less than 4% in all the four investigated sampling sites compared to the analytical results. The results of the simulation showed that the calculated mass attenuation coefficients are in good agreement with the theoretical data. Therefore, the developed GEANT4 code for radiation properties assessment of rocks is accurate and could be used by scientists worldwide. The determination of these mass attenuation coefficients is consequently the unveiling of radiation shielding properties of the investigated material.

KEYWORDS:

• GEANT4 toolkit
• XCOM program
• elemental analysis
• mass attenuation coefficient
• EDXRF

Data availability statements

The data that supports the findings of this study are available within the article and will be made available upon request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics: [grant number OEA-AC-71].

Notes on contributors

Patricia-Laurelle Degbe

Ms. Patricia-Laurelle Degbe is a PhD student in Dosimetry and Radiation Protection at the Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics (CEPAMOQ) of the University of Douala. Her theme of interest is ‘Development and application of Monte Carlo based XRF Elemental and Mineralogical analysis of environmental Samples from Pouma-Cameroon’.

Cebastien Joel Guembou Shouop

Cebastien Joel Guembou Shouop, PhD, is Associate Researcher at the National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA) of Cameroon, under the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, since January 2017. His expertise of research includes Applied Nuclear Physics, especially the implementation and applications of gamma-ray spectrometry for environmental radioactivity monitoring & assessment; Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, Industrial Radiography for NDT, radiation detection, and Monte Carlo Method based on GEANT4 Toolkit and PHITS code.

Daniel Bongue

Daniel Bongue is the Head of the Dosimetry and Radiation Protection Laboratory Protection (DOSRAP) and the Head of the Office of Research and Public Relations, of the Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics (CEPAMOQ). He is Senior Lecturer in Physics at University of Douala. His field of research is Nuclear Physics. His Skills and Expertise are dosimetry, radiation detection, experimental nuclear physics, radioactivity, radiation Physics, and Gamma Spectrometry.

Merylle Glawdys Beyinda

Ms. Merylle Glawdys Beyinda is holder of a Master in Dosimetry and Radiation Protection at the Center for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics (CEPAMOQ) of the University of Douala. She is Associate Researcher at the National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA) of Cameroon under the supervision of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, since July 2021.

Maurice Ndontchueng Moyo

Maurice Ndontchueng Moyo is the Head of the Littoral Office of National Radiation Protection Agency (NRPA) of Cameroon and Associate Professor in Nuclear Physics at the University of Douala. His Skills and Expertise are dosimetry, radiation detection, experimental nuclear physics, radioactivity, ionizing radiation, radiation Physics, Gamma Spectrometry.

Moïse Godfroy Kwato Njock

Moise Godfroy Kwato Njock is the Head of the Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics (CEPAMOQ), and the Co-ordinator of the Postgraduate School for Pure and Applied Physics (POSPAP) of the University of Douala (UDo). He is Full Professor in physics, and his research deals with atomic structure and dynamics, and dosimetry and radiation protection.