Abstract
In this paper, a thorough radio- and chem-ecological evaluation of ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur granites located within Egypt’s crystalline basement rocks was conducted for risk and dose assessments. Twenty granitic samples from the study area’s various lithological units were analyzed using high-resolution γ-ray spectrometry to determine the natural radioisotopes (U-238, Th-232, and K-40) concentrations. The average concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 were 38.72, 38.23, and 860.71 Bq/kg, respectively, exceeding the GAV (global average value) documented by UNSCEAR (Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Vienna, Austria). The radiological parameters and indices judging the usage of ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur granites in homes were computed. The obtained results showed that ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur granites are safe to be used by inhabitants as superficial building materials, as per the globally accepted values and the recommended safety limits approved by UNSEAR, WHO (World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland), ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection, Ottawa, ON, Canada), and EC (European Commission, Luxembourg). Further, the samples were subjected to ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) analysis for quantifying radionuclide variations with chemical composition. Geochemically based on the ICP-MS results, the studied granites proved to be highly evolved A-type granites. They span the metaluminous to peralkaline fields. The REE patterns are characterized by the enrichment of the light rare earths (LREE) over the heavy ones (HREE) where (La/Yb)n = 5.2, (Gd/Yb)n = 1.63 with pronounced negative Eu-anomalies (Eu/Eu*)n = 0.49. The albite granite exhibits the highest concentrations of Ga, Nb, Ta, U, and Y, and REE (Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb) than the Na-metasomatic granites. Finally, the obtained data serve as a valuable future database for finding out the compatibility of the geochemical data with the natural radioactivity levels of granites.
Highlights
Uranium and thorium are constant components of most minerals
The radioisotopes (U-238, Th-232, and K-40) concentrations and RER from ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur granitic samples, as well as the assessment of any potential health hazards when these rocks are used as decorative building materials, were investigated
The mean values obtained for both 238U and 232Th concentrations in ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur granites are slightly more than GAVs of these radionuclides in regular soil, but they do not surpass their corresponding values in building materials
Summary
Uranium and thorium are constant components of most minerals. The average content of these elements in the earth’s crust is 2 ppm for uranium and 12 ppm for thorium. Many varieties of igneous rocks are rich in uranium. The latter is concentrated in rocks containing SiO2 and alkalis (Na2O and K2O). Due to the existence of abnormal amounts of radionuclides in rocks, various regions throughout the world have high levels of natural radiation [3]. No previous study has been conducted to investigate the distribution of natural radionuclides in ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur granites. There are three main points that make this study important and interesting for radiometric studies. It provides information on the geochemical composition associated with the environmental radioactivity of such granites. We assess the possible radiological health hazards and compare the results with the recommended limits of UNSCEAR, EC, and WHO data
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