Distribution of elemental compositions of zeolite quarries and calculation of radiogenic heat generation

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness ofthe use of zeolites in different industrial processes depends on their physical-chemical properties that are distinctly connected to their geological deposits. In this study, major oxides, eco-toxic metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Cd and Pb), and rare earth (Y, La, Ce, Pr and Nd), radioactive (Th and U) and other trace elements contents of eighty-one zeolite samples collected from four different zeolite quarries in Gördes in Turkey were analysed by using energy dispersed X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Also, pH values and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios were determined for zeolite samples. In addition, radiogenic heat generation (RHG) caused by radiations emitted from uranium (U), thorium (Th) and radioactive potassium (⁴⁰K) in zeolite samples wereestimated.Gördes zeolite contains major oxides, on average, 75.1% SiO₂, 14.1% Al₂O₃, 3.2% K₂O, 2.4% CaO, 1.7% Fe₂O₃, 1.4% MgO, 1.3% Na₂O. The average concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Th and U analysed in zeolite samples were found as 24.8, 2.1, 47.830.1 and 6.0 mgkg⁻¹, respectively. According to average SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios, the ZO1 quarry contains middle silica zeolites while ZO2, ZO3 and ZO4 quarries contain high silica group zeolites. RHG values estimated for zeolite samples varied from 2.3 µWm⁻³to 4.1 µWm⁻³.

KEYWORDS:

• Zeolite
• major oxides
• eco-toxic metal
• uranium
• thorium
• radiogenic heat generation
• Gördes

Acknowledgments

This study is carried out within the framework of a master thesis conducted at Kastamonu University and supported by The Scientific Research Projects Coordinator of Kastamonu University (Research Project codded of KÜ-HIZDES/2019-51).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.