Natural radioactivity in basement rocks and stream sediments, Sharm El Sheikh Area, South Sinai, Egypt: radiometric levels and their significant contributions

The present study examines the natural radioactivity in basements rocks including granites and associated dikes besides stream sediments in Sharm El Sheikh area. Two main rock units are concerned; granites pertaining to Younger Granites of Precambrian age and clastic sedimentary rocks related to Miocene and Pliocene ages. This area is traversed by two shear zones that were delineated as the master fractures trending NW and NNE and controlling uranium and thorium enrichment in granites and dikes. The field and laboratory radiometric measurements revealed radiometric anomalies, in particular, along shear zones. The results of radiometric analyses including concentrations of equivalent uranium (eU), equivalent thorium (eTh), Ra, and K radionuclides as well as the calculated ratios eTh/eU and eU/Ra for representative samples belonging to all rock varieties, revealed that the felsic dikes have the highest values of the average radionuclides potential followed by the alkali feldspar granites, while the mafic dikes display the lowest radioactivity potential. On the other hand, the trends defined in the variation of uranium and thorium reflects the amount of remobilization of uranium that has occurred within the plutons. The eTh and eU/eTh ratios shows a negative correlation, suggesting that distribution of uranium and thorium was at least controlled by magmatic differentiation, while, the positive correlation between eU and eU/eTh ratios indicates enrichment of uranium through post magmatic processes. Some precautions and recommendations are proposed to avoid any possible environmental impacts from shear zone areas with high intensity of natural radiation sources.     

The Use of Gamma Ray Spectrometry as an Aid for Uranium Exploration in Kab Amiri Area,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

High‐resolution gamma ray spectrometry was exploited to locate the potential radioactive targets at Kab Amiri granite pluton, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. The Kab Amiri pluton forms a concentric granitic body of monzogranite to syenogranite composition intruded into mafic‐ultramific rocks. To identify and detect anomalous concentrations of natural radioactive elements in the study area, contour maps of equivalent uranium (eU ppm), equivalent thorium (eTh ppm), potassium (K%) and their geochemical ratios (eU/Th, eTh/K and eU‐eTh/3.5) as well as standard deviation map of uranium were constructed and interpreted. Qualitative and quantitative interpretations of the spectrometric survey data revealed the presence of seven radioactive anomalies in the south of the studied area. These anomalies could be related to the prevailing faulting directions NE and ENE fault trends. The southernmost anomalous zone is related to high episyenitization and uranium concentrations. It exhibits a sharp increase in the eU concentrations reaching 370 ppm resulting in a high eU/eTh ratio reaching 4.5 and characterized by oval shape trending in the NE direction. Constructing the contour map of the (eU‐eTh/3.5) was helpful in defining the trends of uranium migration and enabling the delineation of the limit between the negative contours (leaching) and positive contours (deposition).     

A preliminary study of graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied graphite-bearing rocks are located at Wadi Sikait in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt to the west of Marsa Alam on the Red Sea coast. They are intruded by granitic rocks and they have low radioactivity level. Mica-graphite schists are considered as a matrix of ophiolitic mélange. Graphite occurs in mica-graphite schists as disseminated grains and in talc carbonates rocks as bands or veins. Petrographically, the mica-graphite schists are mainly composed of quartz, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, and graphite. Geochemical characteristics show that trace elements analysis reflects higher content in Cr and Ni in ash-free graphite than mica-graphite schists. Spectrometrically, the graphite-bearing rocks at Wadi Sikait are showing eU values greater than eTh values, indicating that the graphite-bearing rocks gain U from the country rocks. The U/eU ratio range from 2.7 to 11 manifesting enrichment of chemical uranium (U) may be related to recent uranium transported from the mineralized country rocks. There is a role of graphite and carbonaceous matter in the genesis of U deposits.     

Mineralogy,M-type tetrad effect and radioactivity of altered granites at the G. Abu Garadi shear zone,central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The G. Abu Garadi area is covered mainly by metasediments, alkali feldspar granites and stream sediments. The alkali feldspar granite is traversed by a major strike-slip fault trending in an N-S direction as well as two subordinate sets of faults trending NW to WNW for the first one and NE for the second one. These faults represent the shear zones affected by magmatic (syngenetic) as well as hydrothermal (epigenetic) activities causing alteration of the granitic rocks. The most common alteration features are albitization, greisenization and koalinitization. The mass balance calculations of the studied altered samples show enrichments in Zr, Y, Ni, U, Th and Ga and depletions in Zn, Sr, Nb, Ba, Pb, Cu and V. Only the greisenized samples exhibit a significant enrichment in Nb, ∑REE budget and pronounced lanthanide tetrad effect (M-type), especially TE1,4, while weakly expressed tetrad effects are for the other albitized and koalinitized samples. Mineralogically, the common accessory minerals in the altered samples include samarskite-(Y), betafite, uranothorite, zircon, fluorite and cassiterite. The greisenized granites contain high eU and eTh than the other altered types, where they are characterized by an assemblage of the radioactive minerals; samarskite-(Y), betafite, uranothorite in addition to zircon. The inter-element relationships between U and Th and also their ratios illustrate that the radioelement distribution in these granites is mainly governed by magmatic processes, in addition to post-magmatic ones. The distribution of chemical elements and the fractionation of some isovalents within the shear zone are largely controlled by the newly formed mineral phases. With respect to uranium mobilization, uranium migrated from the host alkali feldspar granites of G. Abu Garadi, while the shear zones acted as traps for the migrated uranium. Moreover, U migrated in the shear zone during greisenization and albitization, and migrated out during koalinitization.     

Aerospectrometric and aeromagnetic characteristics associated Nb–Ta–Sn mineralization, G. Nuweibi albite granite Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

A geophysical signature associated with Nb–Ta–Sn mineralization of G. (G. : abbreviation to word Gebel which means mountain in Arabic) Nuweibi area, located the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt is presented. This signature was established by an integration of airborne gamma ray spectrometric and magnetic data. Variations seen in the gamma ray spectrometric data are used as a base to study the three granitic suites: younger-, albite-, and older granites in G. Nuweibi area. Graphical techniques such as frequency histograms and box-plots are used to visualize the shape of the distribution and determine the anomaly thresholds of the three radioelements eU, eTh, and K% data in these granitic suites. The box-plot graphical representations and calculations made on data sets indicate that no samples have eU values above the thresholds, i.e., no outliers representing values of the box-plots. Nuweibi albite granite is associated with a gamma ray response that includes the strongest eU, eTh, K%, and eTh/K ratio anomalies in the study area. K–eTh plot shows that the albite granite has a higher eTh concentration than the older and younger granites. The increase in K concentration and raise in Th/K ratio of Nuweibi albite granite points to unusual geological processes leading to mineralization and reflects the highly fractionated nature of the magma which results in thorium enrichment. This also reflects that K alteration associated with Nb–Ta–Sn mineralization is both poorly focused spatially and very much weaker than observed in any other mineralizing districts. The distribution of magnetic sources and their locations and depths in the study region are determined by Euler deconvolution and analytical signal techniques. Good clustering of Euler solutions were obtained using SI?=?0.5 and SI?=?1.0 for most of the features in the area under consideration. The solutions obtained have shown magnetic sources which can be related to the impact structure whose depths varies between ground surface to 1.66 km. The analytical signal revealed that the metamorphosed basic rocks (mainly olivine metagabbro), serpentinite and dyke bodies are the main sources of high magnetic anomalies, particularly within the area east G. Nuweibi region.     

Thematic integration of spatial data sets to delineate favourable zones for uranium exploration in Gangpur basin and parts of Kunjar and Darjing basins,Odisha

Surface exploration techniques have been key contributors in discovering mineral deposits over the past three decades. However, in the last decade there has been a growing emphasis on integrating remote sensing, geological, geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques to compliment them in identifying concealed deposits. Successful integrated exploration requires putting mappable petrophysical property contrasts in terms of geological and geochemical process that could be associated with different mineralisation environment. The Precambrian Gangpur basin comprising volcanic free sedimentary sequence is considered as a potential geological setting for hosting uranium mineralisation. The Gangpur basin with metasediments of low to medium metamorphic grade classified as the Gangpur Group are known for hosting manganese, limestone and lead-zinc deposits. Uranium mineralization is reported in limonitic carbonaceous phyllite and sheared quartzite of Kumarmunda Formation at Jhamankele-Bhalulata areas. Several uranium anomalies have been associated with gossan at Kaedarpani, Jamdra and in ferruginised laterite at Badekachar, Jarmal, Jhagarpur, Kadorpani, Karamabahal, Tetelkela & Kumtinunda. In the present study geological, geophysical and remote sensing data sets are processed and integrated with other available data to delineate target zones for uranium exploration. Even though direct detection of uranium mineralisation remains unresolved in exploration strategy, instead it is becoming increasingly instructive to focus on mapping suitable depositional environments. The enhanced satellite imagery is interpreted in terms of thematic layers viz. trend lines, lineaments, faults and geological contacts. The aeromagnetic data is processed and interpreted thematic layers of magnetic breaks and linears from total magnetic intensity (TMI), the reduced to pole (RTP), tilt derivative and amplitude of analytical signal grid images. The radiometric data is processed based on their broad lithology and radio-elemental distribution maps viz. count maps, ratio maps, ternary (%K-eTh-eU) and eU/K ? eU/eTh ? eU images are generated to aid in mapping uranium favourability zones. The favourability image zones with high eU/K, eU/eTh and eU counts zones are classified into class based on statistics and anomalous high zones are picked up as uranium favourable locales. The thematic layers of geological contacts, lineaments and faults interpreted from satellite imagery, magnetic linears interpreted from aeromagnetic data and uranium favourability zone extracted from Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometric (AGRS) data are overlaid. Based on spatial association of favourable features few locals are delineated for uranium exploration.     

Geophysical signature of the vien-type uranium mineralization of Wadi Eishimbai, Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt

The application of various geophysical tools with different responses succeeded in fixing U-mineralization in Wadi Eishimbai area. The area was studied using detailed ground spectrometric, magnetic, and filtered very low-frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) surveys. The interpretation of the obtained spectrometric maps clearly reflects the sharp increase of equivalent uranium (eU) content. Meanwhile, K and Th contents show sharp decreases. The eU/equivalent thorium (eTh) ratio correlates positively with eU concentrations and negatively with eTh concentrations, indicating an increase in U potentiality than the surrounding granite. The N?CS shear zone displays an eU content ranging from 20 to 140?ppm. The ENE-trending lamprophyre is characterized by elongated uranium anomalies trending in the E?CW direction, with values >90?ppm. Equivalent uranium content of the brecciated granite attains values up to 700?ppm. The ground magnetic and VLF-EM surveys played important roles in providing structural information which are proven useful in geological mapping and mineral exploration for the discovery of uranium mineralization in the study area. This study follows the expected subsurface extension of the Sela shear zone under Wadi sediments. The ground total magnetic intensity map shows a relatively narrow and an elongated shape for the lamprophyre anomaly extending for about 600?m in the Wadi toward the western direction. VLF-EM contour maps of the two used frequencies (17.1 and 28.5?kHz) show excellent agreement, indicating that the shear zone is distinguished with slightly strong conductivity westwards as an extension of the main shear zone. It is elongated in an ENE?CWSW trend and extends in the western direction, referring to the existence of conductive materials. Most of the NW/SE-trending faults cause sudden changes in the magnetic and VLF-EM contour spacing over an appreciable distance, which suggests a discontinuity in depth due to their left-lateral strike-slip displacements. The interpreted faults, with an ENE?CWSW trend representing the main trend of Sela shear zone through which hydrothermal solutions flowed, cause high alteration and uranium mineralization.     

Favourable uranium–phosphate exploration trends guided by the application of statistical factor analysis technique on the aerial gamma spectrometric data in Syrian desert (Area-1), Syria

A scored lithological map including 10 radiometric units is established through applying factor analysis approach to aerial spectrometric data of Area-1, Syrian desert, which includes Ur, eU, eTh, K%, eU/eTh, eU/K%, and eTh/K%. A model of four rotated factors F1, F2, F3, and F4 is adapted for representing 234,829 data measured points in Area-1, where 86% of total data variance is interpreted. A geological scored pseudo-section derived from the lithological scored map is established and analyzed in order to show the possible stratigraphic and structural traps for uranium occurrences associated with phosphate deposits in the studied Area-1. These identified traps presented in this paper need detailed investigation and must be necessarily followed and checked by ground validations and subsurface well logging, in order to locate the anomalous uranium occurrences and explore with more confidence and certitude their characteristics as a function of depth.     

In situ gamma ray measurements for deciphering of radioactivity level in Sarıhan pluton area of northeastern Turkey

The present work utilizes in situ gamma ray spectrometric measurement data to map the surface geology of Sar?han Granitoid and its surrounding area. The study area comprises three different lithological units, namely, Hozbirikyayla Formation (limestone and sandy limestones), Sar?han Granitoid (consist of quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite and quartz diorite) and the Ophiolitic olistostromal melange (andesite, basalt, sandstone, gravelly sandstone). When lithological units are assessed according to the radioactivity characteristics, natural radionuclide contents (⁴⁰K and radionuclides from ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series) of Hozbirikyayla limestones and ophiolitic melange rocks are lower than the Sar?han pluton. The U, Th and K radionuclide contents were found to be 0.8–5.4 ppm, 10.1–33.6 ppm and 1.29–4.41% in the Sar?han plutonic area and 0.9–5.3 ppm, 1.1–20.3 ppm and 0.04–2.71% in Horzbirikyayla formation, respectively. The element concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K of the Ophiolitic melange are 1.1–4.5 ppm, 1.6–25.3 ppm and 0.09–3.63%, respectively. Radioelement ratio maps are created for the studied area, because the parameters of radioelement ratios, eU/eTh, eU/K and eTh/K, reflect the radioactive characters of the rock and soil. The Hozbirikyayla Formation is characterized by the highest value of eU/eTh and lowest value of eTh/K. While the lowest eU/eTh and eU/K ratios were observed in the Sar?han Granodiorite, the highest value of eU/K and eTh/K were obtained in the Ophiolitic olistostromal melange. By comparing these maps with the geology, it was found that the radioelement concentrations are in good agreement with the geological properties of the region. In addition to this, the radiation hazard parameters were evaluated to assess the radiation hazard for people living in this area. It has also been found that there is no significant radiologic hazard for humans and the environment in and around studied area.     

Ra’s Abdah of the north Eastern Desert of Egypt: the role of granitic dykes in the formation of radioactive mineralization,evidenced by zircon morphology and chemistry

Syenogranitic dykes in the north of Egypt’s Eastern Desert are of geological and economic interest because of the presence of magmatic and supergene enrichment of radioactive mineralization. Zircon crystal morphology within the syenogranitic dykes allows precise definition of sub-alkaline series granites and crystallized at mean temperature of about 637 °C. The growth pattern of the zircons suggest magmatic and hydrothermal origins of radioactive mineralization. Hydrothermal processes are responsible for the formation of significant zircon overgrowth; high U-zircon margins might have occurred contemporaneously with the emplacement of syenogranitic dykes which show anomalous uranium (eU) and thorium (eTh) contents of up to 1386 and 7330 ppm, respectively. Zircon chemistry revealed a relative increase of Hf consistent with decreasing Zr content, suggesting the replacement of Zr by Hf during hydrothermal activity. Visible uranium mineralization is present and recognized by the presence of uranophane and autunite.     

Geochemistry of granites and metasediments of the urban area of Vila Real (northern Portugal) and correlative radon risk

Radon concentration was evaluated in dwellings of the urban area of Vila Real (Northern Portugal). The area is mainly composed of Hercynian granites and Cambrian metasediments, and CR-39 passive detectors (n = 112) were used for the purpose. The results obtained in winter conditions suggest that the most productive geological unit is the Hercynian granite G1 (geometric mean of 364 Bq/m³), while Cambrian metasediments of the Douro Group show the lowest average indoor radon concentration (236 Bq/m³). The geological, geochemical and radiological data obtained suggest that the most effective control on the radon concentrations of the area is related with the uranium content of the rocks; indeed, the highest contents were observed in granite G1 (21 ppm) and the lowest in the metasediments (3 ppm). This is also confirmed by the results obtained for groundwater, where granites present the highest concentrations of dissolved radon (up to 938 Bq/l), uranium (5–18 ppb) and gross α activities (0.47–0.92 Bq/l). No important radiometric anomalies were found in relation with geological structures such as faults, veins and contacts, but a moderate increase of the uranium content can occur locally in such structures. Petrographic observations and SEM studies show that uranium is mainly contained within the rock in heavy accessory minerals (apatite, zircon, monazite, xenotime), which reduces radon emanation. Notwithstanding, due to the high U contents granites show a significant potential to induce indoor radon concentrations in dwellings in excess of the recommended value of 400 Bq/m³. Overall, we can conclude that the region of Vila Real presents a moderate to high radon risk in dwellings and groundwater.     

Role of γ-ray spectrometry in detecting potassic alteration associated with Um Ba’anib granitic gneiss and metasediments, G. Meatiq area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The radiometric responses of the Gebel (G., which means mountain in Arabic) Meatiq area display the overall high radiation of the high grade metamorphic Um Ba’anib granite gneiss, metasediments, as well as Arieki adamellite rocks. Whereas, the low grade metamorphic ophiolitic nappes country reveal the lowest radiometric response. The eU, eTh, and K contents tend to increase with the youthfulness of the plutons with a maximum amounts in the more alkali varieties, e.g., Arieki adamellite (580 Ma), then the high grade metamorphic rocks of the younger Meatiqian orogeny (626?±?2 Ma). Also, these rocks reveal that the major radiometric anomaly with exposure rates ≈139 nGy/h, more than double of the global terrestrial values. While, the low grade metamorphic ophiolitic rocks reveal the lowest average exposure rates ≈46.8 nGy/h. The areas of high gamma ray values of F-parameter of Efimov (K × U/Th), ternary composite map, K map, K/eTh, and K/eU ratios maps are related to K enrichment conditions during formation (diagenesis) or deformation of the high grade metamorphic rocks and the Arieki adamellite intrusion. From the geochemical point of view, these areas are associated with rocks that are characterized by high-K calc-alkaline, calc-alkaline affinity, and enriched in REE.     

Radioelement Mapping and Environmental Monitoring of Surface Deposits using Ground Gamma Ray Spectrometry of the Area Adjacent to El‐Ramlah Village,Southwestern Sinai,Egypt

A ground‐based gamma‐ray survey has been performed in the area close to El‐Ramlah village, southwestern Sinai, Egypt, using a GS‐512 spectrometer. The main objective of this survey was to delineate radioactive anomalies within the surface of the study area and to identify the environmental effects of natural radioelements on the new inhabitants, Bedouins, who live in the recently built village in this region of the Sinai Peninsula. The results show that the maximum radioactivity of the total count component (T.C.) was about 15.7Ur at the northern part of the study area. The average radioelements concentration were 0.4% for potassium, 1.6 ppm for equivalent uranium and 4.5 ppm for equivalent thorium. To identify and map the environmental effects of the concentration of these radioelements on El‐Ramlah village, measurements of potassium (K%), equivalent uranium (eU) and equivalent thorium (eTh) were converted into an equivalent dose rate. The results illustrate that, the levels of effective dose rate of the natural radioactivity of the area of study remains in the safe range without any harm to living organisms, and it stays within the maximum permissible radiation dose rate (1.0 mSv y^?1) recommended by the International Commission of Radiological Protection.     

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.     

R-mode factor analysis applied to uranium exploration in the Montrose quadrangle, Colorado

R-mode factor analysis is used to describe the relationships among 18 remotely sensed and geochemical data sets (variables) for the Montrose 1° × 2° quadrangle, Colorado, a region that covers 19 000 km². The data sets contain reconnaissance-scale information and include Landsat imagery, airborne geophysical information (eU, eTh, K40, aeromagnetics), elevation, and hydrogeochemical and stream sediment analyses. The elements U, K, Dy, Hf, V, Th, Ca and Ba in sediments and U in waters were selected.The results of the factor analysis for the entire quadrangle are compared to the results for a 50 km × 50 km test area containing several known uranium occurrences. Four factors account for 70.0% of the total variance in the data. These are interpreted as a felsic factor, Landsat factor, economic or mineralization factor (in terms of uranium mineralization and potential mineralized areas), and a volcanic factor.Graphical representations (maps) of the raw data, factor approximations, residuals for each data set, and the four-factor model greatly aid interpretation of the analytic results. We find that data integration techniques and R-mode factor analysis can be used with some success in uranium resource appraisal.     

内蒙古二连盆地阿特巴音敖包地区eU、eTh、K等天然放射性水平调查评价

为了对内蒙古二连盆地阿特巴音敖包调查区铀成矿潜力做出评价,通过对其天然放射性水平测量数据的统计分析、参数构建等手段,多维度探索了铀(eU)、钍(eTh)、钾(K)元素含量及γ照射量率在空间上的分布规律及其变化趋势。结合区域地质资料对古铀含量、活化铀量、铀迁移富集指数、地化活动性指数等新构建参数特征进行了综合解释,成功预测了调查区铀成矿有利地段,经钻探查证,发现了良好的铀矿化信息。     

High resolution multispectral satellite data interpretation and limited ground checking: A proxy for geological mapping and uranium exploration in Mahakoshal Fold Belt of Son valley area,Madhya Pradesh

This research aims at integrating remote sensing data and field studies to prospect for uranium mineralisation in the Palaeoproterozoic Mahakoshal Group of rocks in the Son valley area, Central India. In present work, a revised geological map of Mahakoshal Fold Belt (MFB) bounded by Son-Narmada north fault (SNNF) and Son-Narmada south fault (SNSF) along Chorhut-Sidhi-Chitrangi sector falling in Sidhi, Rewa and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh has been prepared based on interpretation of digitally enhanced satellite images. The satellite image interpretation is supported by limited field works, radioelemental measurements (eU, eTh and % K) of in-situ rocks by four channel Portable Gamma Ray Spectrometer (PGRS) and existing published geological maps of Geological Survey of India. In search for mineral potential areas, accurate and up-to-date geological maps are essential as it represent the most basic information for carrying out further exploration activities. However, available geological maps of MFB and sedimentary formations ofVindhayan Supergroup along SNNF and Chhotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex (CGGC) and Gondwana Supergroup along SNSF available in public domain are discontinuous and multi-scaled.     

Natural radioactivity measurements in beach sand along southern coast of Orissa,eastern India

The beach placer deposits in the southern coastal Orissa, India may have significant levels of radiation due to the presence of Th and U bearing minerals such as monazite and zircon. In this study, Gopalpur and Rushikulya beach regions were selected to study the ambient radiation environment. The average activity concentrations of radioactive elements such as ²³²Th, ²³⁸U and ⁴⁰K of beach sand samples were measured by γ-ray spectrometry using a HPGe detector, and found to be much higher than the internationally accepted values. The cross plots of eTh/eU and eTh/K inferred that the sand samples of Gopalpur and Rushikulya beach placer deposit were deposited in leached uranium and an oxidising environment. The absorbed γ dose rate levels of the study areas are similar to other monazite sand-bearing HBRAs of southern and southwestern coastal regions of India and of world. Different radiation hazard indices were estimated for the present study area and were found to be much higher than the internationally accepted values. Hence, Gopalpur and Rushikulya beach placer region can be considered as a high background radiation area and a potential zone for radiogenic heavy mineral exploration.     

Petrology, geochemistry and uranium mineralisation of post-collisional magmatism around Goanikontes, southern Central Zone, Damaran Orogen, Namibia

The Goanikontes area lies within the southern Central Zone of the northeast trending branch of the Damara Orogen. The cover succession around Goanikontes, which comprises Etusis to Chuos Formation metasediments, is in tectonic contact with older pre-Damaran basement rocks. The area can be divided into three structural domains with basement in the east, a northeast-plunging anticline of Damaran metasediments to the west and a high strain zone up to 1 km wide that separates them and truncates the anticline. The high strain zone has provided an important focus for the emplacement of sheeted granites adjacent to the basement-cover contact. Goanikontes is also one of several significant uranium anomalies within the Damaran Orogen, and the excellent 3D exposure of the Swakop river has provided evidence for an interpretation of the tectono-metamorphic setting of magmatism and mineralisation. The granitoids have been divided into equigranular granites and sheeted leucogranites. The sequence of emplacement of the equigranular granites is from red syenogranite (534±7 Ma) to later grey monzogranite (517±7 Ma) with foliated basement-hosted granite of probable time equivalence to the syenogranites. Each type can be distinguished on major- and trace-element geochemistry. The later sheeted leucogranites, which are volumetrically the most important, intrude both basement and cover rocks. These have been divided into six distinct types based on field characteristics and structural setting backed by geochemical data and fluid extraction analyses. The earliest type A are irregular in form, boudinaged and folded by D₃, and geochemically distinct with notably low HFSE; type B's are white, weakly foliated, folded by D₃, garnetiferous and highly peraluminous; type C are tourmaline-bearing, occasionally boudinaged and exhibit the typical sheet-form within the cover rocks. Of the post-D₃ sheets, type D, which is restricted to the high strain zone is characterised by smoky quartz, high radioactivity and often by visible betafite or beta-uranophane; type E, the dominant type within the high strain zone contains prominent oxidation haloes and type F is red in colour, coarsely pegmatitic and has the highest concentration of alkalis. The uranium-mineralised type D sheets have consistently higher fluid and CO₂ content than other sheeted leucogranites. The close correlation between sheet type and uranium abundance, supported by linear trends on LIL plots suggests that the distribution of radiogenic elements is primarily magmatic with more recent meteoric re-distribution, rather than due to substantial hydrothermal modification     

华南地区新元古代花岗岩铀成矿机制——以摩天岭花岗岩为例

华南是我国重要的花岗岩型铀成矿区,印支期-燕山期花岗岩是最主要的产铀花岗岩。广西北部形成于新元古代的摩天岭岩体是我国目前已知的最古老的产铀花岗岩体之一。前人对华南印支-燕山期花岗岩的铀成矿作用研究较深入,但对以摩天岭岩体为代表的新元古代古老花岗岩的铀成矿作用研究程度较低。本文以摩天岭花岗岩体为对象,进行了岩石学、地球化学、年代学及其铀矿成矿特征和规律的深入研究,取得以下认识:1)摩天岭岩体规模巨大,相带分布明显,内部相带和过渡相带发育,岩性主要为黑云母花岗岩、二云母花岗岩和含电气石二云母花岗岩,花岗岩体具有富硅富碱、铝过饱和、钾大于钠的特点,属S型花岗岩; 2)摩天岭岩体形成于850～760Ma之间的新元古代; 3)摩天岭岩体铀成矿潜力巨大,铀矿化以铀-绿泥石型和铀-硅化带型为主,铀-绿泥石型的代表矿床——达亮矿床形成于360～401Ma,是加里东期区域变质及构造活动共同作用的结果;铀-硅化带型铀矿的代表——新村铀矿形成于47Ma,是喜马拉雅期伸展构造作用下构造-热液活动共同作用的结果; 4)摩天岭岩体中铀矿床的铀源来自于元古界四堡群、丹州群和摩天岭岩体本身;成矿流体主要来源于大气降水,同时有深部流体的参与;热源主要与加里东期区域变质作用和喜马拉雅期伸展背景下的构造作用关系密切; 5)摩天岭岩体铀成矿经过了新元古代铀预富集、加里东晚期到海西早期的区域变质-构造热液成矿作用、喜马拉雅期的构造热液成矿作用等几个阶段,形成了类型丰富、规模较大的铀矿床,铀找矿潜力巨大。