Radioactivity and distribution of U and Th in some granitic masses, wadi El-Saqia area, central eastern desert, Egypt

Abstract

Radioactivity measurements and U and Th content determinations were carried out on 3 small granitic plutons, Gabal Abu Aqarib, Gabal El-Himeiyer and Gabal Um Zarabit, in the Central Eastern Desert. The Abu Aqarib and Um Zarabit alkali feldspar granites are elenogated bodies intruded into the Dokhan Volcanics, whereas El-Himeiyir is intruded into an ophiolitic melange section. Compared to the average content of U and Th of world granites, El-Himeiyir alkali feldspar granites show normal content of both U and Th. On the other hand, Abu Aqarib alkali feldspar granite shows some enrichments in both U and Th, whereas Um Zarabit granite shows enrichments in U contents only. The two discovered anomalous radioactive sites show 154 ppm U, and 256 ppm Th contents for Gabal Abu Aqarib site, and 24 ppm U, and 107 ppm Th contents for El-Himeiyir one. The two sites are associated with NE-trending shear zones and exhibit hydrothermal alteration features such a hematitization and silicification. The high radioactivity is ascribed to unusual accumulations of zircon and/or apatite; however, some of the enriched U may be of epigenetic origin.