Radioactive content and radiological implication in granitic rocks by geochemical data and radiophysical factors, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Um Taghir area located along the shear zone of the Qena-Safaga road, mostly it represents one of the most important occurrences of radioactive elements in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The current study aims to calculate the content of the radioactive elements of the investigated granitic rocks by radiative methods for the geochemical parameters. Major oxides such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, TiO₂, P₂O₅, Na₂O and K₂O in addition to trace and rare earth elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Rb, Y, Ba, Pb, Sr, Ga, V, Nb, As and Co) are measured by (X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average activity (range) of ²³⁸U series, ²³²Th series and ⁴⁰K were 15.7 (8.7–25.7), 13.2 (4.7–11.7) and 703.8 (195.1–1371.8) Bq/kg, respectively. The average concentrations values of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th are lower than those of the world’s average and the average activities in Egyptian soil. While in the case of potassium (⁴⁰K), we find that the radioactive content is greater than the world’s average, and also the radioactive average of the Egyptian soil. The scope of estimated exercises generally contrasted as their quality in rocks tests relies upon their physical, synthetic and geo-concoction properties and the appropriate condition.

KEYWORDS:

• Um Taghir
• granitic rocks
• U-Th contents
• radiological hazard

Acknowledgments

This publication was carried out as part of the program of supporting the publication activity of the Southern Federal University.

Disclosure statement

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