Radioactivity and Environmental Impacts of Granites from Um Ara, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Granites from the Southeastern Desert of Egypt were investigated by using in situ γ-ray spectrometer. Consequently, estimating the radiological effects from these rocks were achieved through calculation of some radiological parameters; Annual effective dose equivalent AEDE, Internal hazard index Hin, External hazard index Hex, Alpha activity index Iα, Excess lifetime cancer risk, ELCR, Annual gonadal dose equivalent AGDE, Gamma activity concentration index Iγ and Radium equivalent activity Raeq. The geological nature of the region under investigation was affected by the radioactivity measurements of the rocks under study. This was observed by the high U, Th, and K values, which exceed the average world value for safety used as building materials. Therefore, the granites of Om Ara may be inappropriate to choose as a building material or as an indoor and outdoor decorative. At the same time, the region under study represents valuable economic minerals sources that can be used in several industrial applications.