Delayed-Neutron Activation Determination Of Uranium in Thirteen French Rock Reference Samples

The uranium contents of thirteen rock reference samples from the Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques, Nancy, France, were determined by delayed-neutron activation analysis. Four others from the same laboratory were found to have uranium concentrations below our limit of detection. Meaningful comparison of our data with other workers is presently not possible (i) because of the paucity of uranium data and (ii) because of the disparity of uranium data on the samples for which uranium data exist.     

Organic geochemical analysis of sedimentary organic matter associated with uranium

Samples of sedimentary organic matter from several geologic environments and ages which are enriched in uranium (56 ppm to 12%) have been characterized. The three analytical techniqyes used to study the samples were Rock-Eval pyrolysis, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and solid-state C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In samples with low uranium content, the pyrolysis-gas chromatography products contain oxygenated functional groups (as hydroxyl) and molecules with both aliphatic and aromatic carbon atoms. These samples with low uranium content give measurable Rock-Eval hydrocarbon and organic-CO₂ yields, and C-13 NMR values of > 30% aliphatic carbon. In contrast, uranium-rich samples have few hydrocarbon pyrolysis products, increased Rock-Eval organic-CO₂ contents and > 70% aromatic carbon contents from C-13 NMR. The increase in aromaticity and decrease in hydrocarbon pyrolysis yield are related to the amount of uranium and the age of the uranium minerals, which correspond to the degree of radiation damage. The three analytical techniques give complementary results. Increase in Rock-Eval organic-CO₂ yield correlates with uranium content for samples from the Grants uranium region. Calculations show that the amount of organic-CO₂ corresponds to the quantity of uranium chemically reduced by the organic matter for the Grants uranium region samples.     

Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine,Arizona (USA)

The processes that affect water chemistry as the water flows from recharge areas through breccia-pipe uranium deposits in the Grand Canyon region of the southwestern United States are not well understood. Pigeon Spring had elevated uranium in 1982 (44 μg/L), compared to other perched springs (2.7–18 μg/L), prior to mining operations at the nearby Pigeon Mine. Perched groundwater springs in an area around the Pigeon Mine were sampled between 2009 and 2015 and compared with material from the Pigeon Mine to better understand the geochemistry and hydrology of the area. Two general groups of perched groundwater springs were identified from this study; one group is characterized by calcium sulfate type water, low uranium activity ratio ²³⁴U/²³⁸U (UAR) values, and a mixture of water with some component of modern water, and the other group by calcium-magnesium sulfate type water, higher UAR values, and radiocarbon ages indicating recharge on the order of several thousand years ago. Multivariate statistical principal components analysis of Pigeon Mine and spring samples indicate Cu, Pb, As, Mn, and Cd concentrations distinguished mining-related leachates from perched groundwater springs. The groundwater potentiometric surface indicates that perched groundwater at Pigeon Mine would likely flow toward the northwest away from Pigeon Spring. The geochemical analysis of the water, sediment and rock samples collected from the Snake Gulch area indicate that the elevated uranium at Pigeon Spring is likely related to a natural source of uranium upgradient from the spring and not likely related to the Pigeon Mine.     

应用地球化学模式恢复准噶尔盆地东部浅层地下水的氧化-还原环境

地下水的ＥｈＷ值是反映其氧化还原能力的水文地球化学参数,是确定铀氧化还原环境必不可少的参数之一。在准噶尔盆地东部进行１∶５０万层间氧化带砂岩型铀矿床区调时,受工作条件限制,没能对所采集到的水样进行ＥｈＷ值测定,因而影响了对水的氧化还原能力的评价,但是这批水样分析资料中的Ｆｅ２＋／Ｆｅ３＋是非常有用的氧化还原电对,可用来模拟计算地下水环境的ＥｈＷ值。详细讨论了应用地球化学模式来模拟计算地下水ＥｈＷ值的原理和结果。     

Uranium in supergene phosphorites

The distribution of uranium was studied in supergene phosphorites from the zones of the weathering of sedimentary and endogenous rocks, as well as in nonmarine coprolitic phosphorites and, to a lesser extent, phosphorites from ocean islands. These phosphorites show a diversity of the composition of their carbonate-apatite and structural characteristics. The uranium content ranges mostly from 5 to 100 ppm, with minimum and maximum values of 0.5 and 790 ppm. There is no correlation between the uranium content of a phosphorite and the type of rock with which it is connected. Lacustrine coprolitic phosphorites show elevated uranium contents (about 200 ppm). The maximum uranium content was detected in finely laminated phosphorite encrustations. The correlation analysis of the whole data set (63 samples) showed that uranium content is not correlated with any other component of phosphorites at a confidence level of 0.95. In contrast, there is a correlation between U and P₂O₅, CaO, and F for the combined set of samples from southern Siberian deposits. The significant correlation of U with Na₂O and CO₂ is variable both for southern Siberia on the whole and for particular deposits from this region.     

Revisiting platinum group elements of Late Permian coals from western Guizhou Province, SW China

Twenty five coal samples from the Late Permian coal-bearing strata in Weining, Nayong, and Zhijin, western Guizhou Province, SW, China, were analyzed for platinum group elements (PGEs). The coal ashes were digested by the Carius tube technique and accurately measured by isotope dilution-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS) for all PGEs. The results are much lower than the previous reported values. Our study suggested that the previously reported PGE values are incorrect and may due to the polyatomic interferences in ICP-MS measurements. In our study, samples from the Weining coalfield have the lowest PGE contents (from 0.019 Ir to 0.42 ng/g Pd), which represent the PGE background value in coal in western Guizhou province. Some of the coals have Pt and Pd contents about 20-times higher than the background value, indicating PGEs are concentrated. We also reported new and reliable PGE data and background value of coal in western Guizhou province, SW, China, and suggested to rework the PGE background values of Chinese coals.     

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Twenty-Nine International Geochemical Reference Samples

Results of measurements of twenty-seven elements, most of them in trace amounts, by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) in twenty-nine international geochemical reference samples from Canada, U.S.A., Japan, France and South Africa, are reported and compared with available literature values. In general, our data agree well with literature values. The disagreement of our results (e.g., Zr in Canadian syenites and several trace elements in USGS ultrabasic rocks) with those reported by other workers is briefly discussed and ways of improving INAA are pointed out. The present report includes data on several trace elements for which existing data are rather scarce.     

The oxygen isotopic composition of uranium minerals: A review

Uranium ore is an essential material in the preparation of nuclear fuel for civilian as well as military uses. Uranium is first extracted from uranium-bearing minerals using a variety of reagents, and is precipitated from solutions as yellow cake prior to isotope enrichment processes. The disintegration of the former Eastern Bloc in the 1990s and frequent unrest in the Middle East have underscored the need for better characterizing source uranium ores for forensic and attribution purposes.The world's major deposits of U occur in several distinctly different geological environments. Fourteen principal types of U deposits and rocks with elevated uranium contents are recognized with more than 40 subtypes. Combining our own analysis and literature data, we have amassed over 250 oxygen isotope data from 13 major U-producing countries, which vary widely from − 32 to + 11‰. However, interpreting the oxygen isotopic composition of uraninite in terms of the composition of the fluid from which it precipitated, or interacted with, requires knowledge of the fractionation factor and temperature of interactions, which are not always available. Since each deposit type occurs within a unique geologic setting and is generally formed from chemically distinct fluids, the chemical compositions of the uranium ores are also distinct: uranium deposits that form in igneous rocks have higher trace element compositions relative to sandstone-hosted deposits. Our data shows that one of the most useful techniques for distinguishing between uranium ore is to use a combination of δ¹⁸O values and rare-earth elements (e.g., La/Yb ratios). These methods may allow investigators to trace uranium ore back to the source.     

Uranium at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in Denmark

Uranium is significantly enriched (up to two orders of magnitude) in the Danish Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary beds relative to the underand overlaying sediments. Both the predominant oxic and some anoxic deposits have a high uranium content. To investigate the geochemical behaviour of the element, a series of sections was analysed for uranium by means of the delayed-neutron counting technique. Uranium contents in the carbonate rocks from different parts of the Danish Sub-basin are generally low but show slight regional trends. Experiments that involve cold acid extractions suggest that uranium is associated with the non-carbonate residues. The uranium distribution with depth in the offshore drill core from the Central Graben area (North Sea) suggests that the element is associated with clay in the Danian part. Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary beds from Stevns Klint and other localities in the Danish sub-basin have anomalously high uranium contents compared with the values for chalk. Uranium is not correlated with iron, non-carbonate carbon or aluminium. The highest uranium values within boundary sections are not found in the lower part of the sections as is the case for iridium. The only boundary beds that show typical anoxic depositional affinity have a total uranium accumulation that is one order of magnitude lower than that found in the oxic sections. High amounts of uranium within Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary beds are suggested to be related to diagenetic processes such as compaction and dehydration. Uranium is thought not to cause the extinctions at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary because of the relatively low contents found at the actual extinction level.     

三江口东岩体岩石成因及产铀潜力分析

诸广山南体是中国重要的铀资源基地之一,复式岩体内与铀矿床关系密切的花岗岩均为S型,I型花岗岩一般无铀成 矿潜力。三江口岩体位于诸广山南体西部,与产有铀矿床的燕山期长江岩体相邻,岩性也与长江岩体相似。目前对三江口 岩体研究程度相对薄弱,缺乏高精度年代学研究,岩石成因类型也未明确。文章对三江口岩体东部（简称三江口东岩体） 进行U-Pb年代学和岩石地球化学研究,并与产铀的长江岩体进行对比。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄为161.9±2.1 Ma,属于 燕山早期花岗岩。岩体富SiO2 （73.5%~76.1%）,贫FeOT （1.12%~3.25%）、MgO（0.07%~0.83%）、CaO（0.64%~1.27%）,具 高分异指数DI（86.4~93.6）,A/CNK值为1.00~1.35,属过铝-强过铝质花岗岩;微量元素Ba、Sr、Nb、Eu、Ti亏损,Rb、 Th、U富集,属于典型的低Ba、Sr花岗岩;稀土总量中等（ΣREE = 119×10-6 ~268×10-6）,稀土配分模式为右倾的轻稀土富 集型;(87Sr/86Sr)i值为0.70789~0.71488,εNd(t )值较低（-10.8~-9.6）,两阶段Nd模式年龄为1.73~1.83 Ga。三江口东岩体与长 江岩体年龄相近,具有相似的岩石地球化学特征和同位素组成,均为S型花岗岩。结合两岩体形成年龄和区域构造背景, 认为其形成与华南燕山早期陆内伸展作用有关,是由华南基底麻源群泥质岩、砂质岩部分熔融形成,在成岩过程中有少量 幔源物质参与。通过与产铀的长江岩体对比研究认为,三江口东岩体具有较强的产铀潜力。     

Radioactive disequilibria and apparent ages of secondary uranium minerals from Sweden

Thorium and uranium nuclides have been measured using high-resolution alpha spectrometry in order to examine the potential of secondary uranium minerals for disequilibrium dating purposes. Mineral ages are proportional to the distance below the bedrock surface. Minerals coated on the bedrock surface are usually postglacial with apparent ages below 10 000 years. Minerals collected from cracks and fissures 3–100 mm below the bedrock surface give apparent ages from 14 000 years to equilibrium ages of more than 300 000 years. Samples from drill-cores collected more than one metre below the surface approach equilibrium. Some mineral samples have lost uranium, indicating open system conditions. The examined material does not allow the establishment of a definite relationship between glaciation and mineral ages.     

Evaluation of lead isotopic methods for uranium exploration, Koongarra Area, Northern Territory, Australia

Analysis of radioactive (²¹⁰Pb) and stable lead isotopes in near-surface samples has been tested as a method of uranium exploration in the Pine Creek Geosyncline, Northern Territory, Australia. The lead isotopes were extracted from the samples by a mild leaching agent and were measured by alpha spectrometry for ²¹⁰Pb and by mass spectrometry for stable lead isotopes. The results are compared with those obtained by conventional methods utilizing measurements of radioactivity and radon (Track Etch) in situ and ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra and U contents of soils. The major problems addressed were whether the lead isotopic methods are more sensitive than the conventional methods and whether they can discriminate “real” anomalies from the common barren anomalies found in black soils and swamps which contain radium in excess of the uranium present.Four test areas, representing a range of exploration problems, were chosen in the vicinity of the Koongarra uranium deposits and 25 samples from each area were analyzed. Most samples have more ²²⁶Ra than uranium. Radium analyses of several water samples show the source of this radium to be non-uraniferous rocks within the Kombolgie sandstone. The results for soil ²²⁶Ra, radon, scintillometry and ²¹⁹Pb were generally closely correlated, and as a result, the ²¹⁰Pb method was not considered to have any advantages over the conventional methods.At the Koongarra X prospect, which has a weak surface expression, the ratio gave the strongest indication of the underlying uranium mineralization with an anomaly to background ratio of 12.5. However, this ratio is correlated with uranium content and does not offer any particular advantages over uranium analyses alone. More subtle indications of uranium mineralization were found by relating the radiogenic lead (²⁰⁶Pb) and the thorium-derived lead (²⁰⁸Pb) to the common lead content (²⁰⁴Pb). A plot of versus (horizontal axis) is linear for country rock samples, irrespective of the amount of more recently introduced ²²⁶Ra. Samples above uranium mineralization lie off this trend, along a line of near-zero slope. By the use of this plot, indications were found of the Koongarra No. 2 orebody, which is concealed by about 40 m of barren overburden; none of the other techniques detected this mineralization.     

In Situ Quantitative Measurement of Rare Earth Elements in Uranium Oxides by Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry

Advances in the quantification of rare earth elements (REE) at the micrometric scale in uranium oxides by laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry are described. The determination of the best analytical conditions was tested using a uranium oxide (Mistamisk) the concentrations of REE in which were previously estimated by other techniques. Comparison between the use of U or Pb as an internal standard clearly showed a diameter‐dependent fractionation effect related to Pb at small crater diameters (16 and 24 μm), which was not found for U. The quantification of REE contents in uranium oxide samples using both matrix‐matched (uranium oxide) and non‐matrix‐matched (NIST SRM 610 certified glass) external calibrators displayed no significant difference, demonstrating a limited matrix effect for REE determination by LA‐ICP‐MS. Moreover, no major interferences on REEs were detected. The proposed methodology (NIST SRM 610 as external calibrator and U as internal standard) was applied to samples from uranium deposits from around the world. The results showed that LA‐ICP‐MS is a suitable analytical technique to determine REE down to the μg g^?1 level in uranium oxides at the micrometre scale and that this technique can provide significant insights into uranium metallogeny.     

Cenozoic “radiobarite” occurrences in the Ohře (Eger) Rift, Bohemian Massif: Mineralogical and geochemical revision

Barite occurrences related to the Cenozoic (Late Alpine) low-temperature hydrothermal activity are present in the continental Ohře (Eger) Rift area. A specific, Ra-bearing type of barite has been known under the name “radiobarite” from this area since 1904. Revision of 12 localities revealed the presence of alleged radiobarite only in the Teplice (Lahošť–Jeníkov) and Karlovy Vary areas. Barite from other localities is radium-poor. Barite crystals showing concentric oscillation colour zoning totally prevail. Isomorphous substitution of Sr (X×10⁻¹ to X×wt%), Ca (X×10⁻² wt%) and Fe (X×10⁻¹ wt%) for Ba was proved. Average SrO contents of 0.4 wt% are markedly exceeded in some samples from Lahošť–Jeníkov (max. 3.2 wt%) and Karlovy Vary (max. 4.9 wt%). Besides inclusions of stoichiometric iron disulphide, the same samples also contain iron disulphides with unusual high contents of Co (max. 12.2 wt%) and Ni (max. to 8.4 wt%). Specific activity of ²³⁸U in the studied barites is very low while that of ²²⁶Ra reaches 8 Bq/g in several samples. Therefore, ²²⁶Ra is not in equilibrium with its parent uranium. These “radiobarites” or their parts must be therefore relatively young, not older than 10–15 ka. Very low uranium contents (<0.4 ppm) were also confirmed by neutron activation analyses of barite samples.

Unit-cell dimensions refined from X-ray powder diffraction data do not show any systematic variation with the measured chemical composition. Their values agree with the data given in the literature. Reflection half-widths, however, seem to correlate with chemistry. Peaks are wider in samples from Lahošť–Jeníkov and Karlovy Vary.

Sulphur and oxygen stable isotope compositions of the Cenozoic barite mineralization of Teplice area are very uniform (δ³⁴S values between 3.9‰ and 7.1‰ CDT, and δ¹⁸O values between 6.1‰ and 7.7‰ SMOW), while the barites of Děc˘ín area show more variable sulphur sources. Sulphate derived from sediments of the Tertiary Most Basin seems to dominate for the Teplice area, while Cretaceous sediments are a more probable sulphur source in the Děc˘ín area. Calculation of oxygen isotope composition of hydrothermal fluids based on fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and barite δ¹⁸O data shows δ¹⁸O_fluid values in the range of meteoric waters or δ¹⁸O – shifted deep circulating meteoric or basinal waters.     

Geochemical background of potentially toxic trace elements in reclaimed soils of the abandoned pyrite–uranium mine (south-central Poland)

Spatial distribution patterns of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn were determined in topsoil samples collected after 40 years of chemical remediation conducted in the inoperative “Staszic” pyrite–uranium mine in the Holy Cross Mountains, south-central Poland. Soil samples were taken from 58 sites using a systematic random sampling design. Selected samples were subjected to an X-ray diffractometry analysis on bulk soils and separated clay fractions. Hematite, goethite and gypsum are common mineral phases in soil samples. Technogenic soils developed on reclaimed mine spoils show uniform spatial element distribution patterns and additionally a distinct enrichment in As, Pb, Mn, U and Zn. Mineral and chemical composition of soils vs. rocks points to the lithogenic source of the determined elements. The results of chemical analysis have been used for evaluation of geochemical background of trace elements in the study area with the iterative 2σ-technique. This investigation shows that using mean crustal element concentrations (Clarke values) as proxies of threshold values in soils are not useful for determination of strongly positive geochemical anomalies. A modified enrichment factor, i.e. a local enrichment factor, is proposed for identification of sites where soils are contaminated.     

用裂变径迹法研究云贵高原洱海和南明河中铀含量

为确定云贵高原洱海和南明河中铀的含量及污染程度,从洱海和南明河中污染程度不同的地段采集两类水样,在核反应堆中经热中子辐照,使铀裂变碎片在固体径迹探测器上产生径迹,并用NaOH蚀刻.通过光学显微镜观测径迹数,结果表明:南明河水中铀含量远大于洱海.通过南明河与国内外其它河流的对比,讨论了铀污染的情况.     

The behaviour of uranium, thorium and tin during leaching from a coarse-grained porphyritic granite in an arid environment

During the routine analysis of chip samples from water boreholes it was noted that the DeBakken granite south of Kenhardt has high uranium and tin contents. Rock samples collected on surface, however, revealed low concentrations of both these elements indicating that they have been leached from the surface samples. The distribution of thorium in the borehole profiles showed that while both tin and uranium have been removed above the water table, other “immobile” elements and thorium remained unaffected.The geological data showed that the leaching took place since the start of the Tertiary. Initially, the movement of uranium was vertical and accumulated in pedogenic calcrete above the granite. This vertical leaching was controlled by fluctuations in the water table and took place from the Pliocene to Pleistocene. Later, in the Holocene, the pedogenic calcrete was removed and deposited as non-pedogenic calcrete along the rivers. These nodular calcrete deposits, which are abundant in Namaqualand, are mineralized only along those rivers which drain the DeBakken granite, indicating that this granite was the source of the uranium.When the water table reached depths of ten metres or more the vertical migration of uranium ceased and horizontal leaching caused by the movement of ground water became active. Where the water table cuts the surface, such as in the pans, uranium deposition due to evaporation of groundwater is still active.Leaching of uranium from this granite, together with the formation of the secondary deposits is mineralogically controlled, and is ascribed to the fact that uranium is not hosted in zircon. Granites such as the DeBakken granite, in which the uranium is hosted in biotite, monazite and apatite, cannot be recognized by surface sampling and hence a lithogeochemical approach, using sub-surface samples has to be adopted. Calculations showed that approximately 1400 tons of uranium metal has been leached from this granite since the start of the Tertiary and that the maximum reserve of the province as a whole is relatively small.The distribution of tin is erratic, and although it has been leached from the surface samples, it has not been transported for any significant distance. Thus the tin distribution in the profiles does not show the same degree of leaching as does uranium. This is ascribed to the fact that samples from a percussion drill would include both the rock fragments from which tin has been leached and the clay-rich alteration products in which it has been trapped. Tin is generally immobile when present as cassiterite, but when enclosed in biotite, and when the groundwater is enriched in chlorine and fluorine, it leaches readily from the biotite.     

Biogenic Accumulations of Uranium in Recent Seas

The objective of this study is to determine the geochemical role of molluscs in the distribution of uranium in the marine ecosystem. Biogeochemical studies are carried out on recent mollusc shells from the Caspian Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, and Indian Ocean, which differ from each other in terms of physical, chemical, geographic, and geochemical characteristics. In this study, nine Gastropoda and fifty-four Pelecypoda shells of different species are analyzed to document variations of uranium in seasonal layers, which were formed by the seasonal carbonate-organic phase of molluscs during their entire lives. Shell used in this study principally comprises three layers: upper (outer) prismatic, middle prismatic, and inner (mother-of-pearl) layers. In addition, when possible, the head, the middle, and the lower parts of the shells are used for analyses separately. Also, the biological accumulation rate values for each different mollusc species rel     

The abundance and distribution of uranium in some oceanic,continental ultramafic inclusions and host basalts

The abundance and distribution of uranium in various continental and oceanic ultramafic inclusions and host basalts are reported. Uranium was determined by neutron activation (fission products, fission tracks and delayed-neutron methods) and alpha-particle autoradiography; data is also reported for the uranium content of various USGS standard rock powders. The concentration of uranium in both oceanic and continental samples is similar, levels are controlled by mineral compositions, and their relative abundance in different rock types. Highest levels are found in feldspathic and lowest in olivine rich inclusions. Uranium is enriched in mylonitised samples and along some inter-crystal boundaries. With the exception of some apatites, highest levels of uranium are in clinopyroxenes (chrome) and lowest in olivines; no enrichment of uranium in orthopyroxenes was observed. Attention is drawn to the problem of obtaining representative samples from the sea floor which have not been altered by saline solutions and the identification of uranium and daughter products present along inter-crystal boundaries. Differences in observed heat flow between continental and oceanic areas may reflect inadequate sampling of representative rock types present below the sea floor and lack of information for the true abundance and distribution of uranium in such rocks.     

The influence of geological factors on radon risk in groundwater and dwellings in the region of Amarante (Northern Portugal)

The region of Amarante (Northern Portugal) is composed of Hercynian tardi-tectonics granites and Paleozoic metasediments. Petrographic observations and SEM studies show that uranium is mainly contained within the rock in heavy accessory minerals such as apatite, zircon, monazite, uraninite, thorite and thorianite. The geological, geochemical and radiological data obtained suggest that the radon concentrations in dwellings of the studied area are mainly related with the uranium content of the rocks. Indeed, the highest contents were observed in granite AT2 of Padronelo (18.2 ppm) and the granite AT1 of Telões (10.3 ppm), with metasediments showing much lower uranium contents of 1.6 ppm; radon concentrations were evaluated in dwellings, using CR-39 passive detectors, and the results obtained in winter conditions suggest that the most productive geological units are the granites AT2 and AT1, with geometric means of 430 and 220 Bq/m³, respectively, while the metasediments show the lowest value of 85 Bq/m³. Some moderate radiometric anomalies, where uranium contents can double typical background values, were found in relation with specific fault systems of the region affecting granitic rocks, thus increasing radon risk; this is an indication of uranium mobility, likely resulting from the leaching of primary mineral supports as uraninite. Groundwater radionuclide contents show a wide range of results, with the highest activities related with granitic lithologies: 2,295 Bq/l for radon, 0.83 Bq/l for gross α and 0.71 Bq/l for gross β, presenting metasediments much lower values, in good agreement with other results obtained. Absorbed dose measured with gamma spectrometers in direct contact with the rocks is directly related with the uranium contents of the rocks, and thus works as a fast proxy for radon risk. It is concluded that radon risk is moderate to high in the granitic areas of the Amarante region and low in the metasediments of the same region.