The geological situation in Abu-Jir Faults Zone, western Iraq: evidence from the radioactivity in Hit–Haditha area

Abstract

Total radioactivity measurements (cps) in 59 sites were achieved in the Hit–Kubaiysa–Haditha area. Geological samples (soil and rock) from those sites were analyzed for Ra-226, U-238, Th-232, and K-40 using Gamma spectroscopy system based on high pure germanium. The study aims to assess the radioactivity in the study area and attempt to understand the relationship between radioactivity and the geological situation in the area. The results showed that many sites have relatively high total radioactivity exceeding the background radioactivity by many times. The radioactivity concentrated in areas around the springs spreading in the area caused by the high concentration of Ra-226 which being have disequilibrium with its parent U-238. Some areas also have a relatively high concentration of U-238 in depressions areas where the upper part of the Euphrates Formation is outcropped. Based on the pattern of the spread of total radioactivity in the study area, the extension of the Euphrates Fault Zone and the Abu Jir Fault Zone could be determined. These fault zones extend towards northwest–southeast, in addition to the delineation of some of the recent faults that intersect with these zones in an east–west direction, most of which follow the spreading pattern of the springs in the region.