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Assessing the Radiological Risks Associated with High Natural Radioactivity of Microgranitic Rocks: A Case Study in a Northeastern Desert of Egypt

Author

Listed:
  • Neveen S. Abed

    (Geochemical Exploration Department, Nuclear Materials Authority, El-Maadi, Cairo P.O. Box 530, Egypt)

  • Mohamed Abdel Monsif

    (Geochemical Exploration Department, Nuclear Materials Authority, El-Maadi, Cairo P.O. Box 530, Egypt)

  • Hesham M. H. Zakaly

    (Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, 620002 Yekaterinburg, Russia
    Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt)

  • Hamdy A. Awad

    (Institute of Earth Sciences, Southern Federal University, Zorge St., 40, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia
    Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assuit Branch, Assuit 71524, Egypt)

  • Mahmoud M. Hessien

    (Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21974, Saudi Arabia)

  • Chee Kong Yap

    (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang 43400, Malaysia)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the radiological hazards of uranium ( 238 U), thorium ( 232 Th), and potassium ( 40 K) in microgranitic rocks from the southeastern part of Wadi Baroud, a northeastern desert of Egypt. The activity concentrations of the measured radionuclides were determined by using a gamma-ray spectrometer (NaI-Tl-activated detector). The mean ( 238 U), ( 232 Th), and ( 40 K) concentrations in the studied rocks were found to be 3680.3, 3635.2, and 822.76 Bq/kg, respectively. The contents in these rocks were elevated, reaching up to 6.3 wt%. This indicated the alkaline nature of these rocks. The high ratios of Th/U in the mineralized rocks could be related to late magmatic mineralization, suggesting the ascent of late magmatic fluids through weak planes such as faults and the contact of these rocks with older granites. The present data were higher than those of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) guideline limits. All the radiological hazard results indicated high human health risks. This confirmed that this area is not radiologically safe, and care must be taken when working in this area. This study showed that the area under investigation had high U content suitable for uranium extraction that could be used in the nuclear fuel cycle.

Suggested Citation

  • Neveen S. Abed & Mohamed Abdel Monsif & Hesham M. H. Zakaly & Hamdy A. Awad & Mahmoud M. Hessien & Chee Kong Yap, 2022. "Assessing the Radiological Risks Associated with High Natural Radioactivity of Microgranitic Rocks: A Case Study in a Northeastern Desert of Egypt," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:1:p:473-:d:716222
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Anna V. Mikhailenko & Natalia N. Yashalova & Dmitry A. Ruban, 2022. "Environmental Pollution in Geopark Management: A Systematic Review of the Literary Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Heba A. Saudi & Heba T. Abedelkader & Shams A. M. Issa & Hanan M. Diab & Gharam A. Alharshan & Mohamed A. M. Uosif & Ibrahim I. Bashter & Antoaneta Ene & M. El Ghazaly & Hesham M. H. Zakaly, 2022. "An In-Depth Examination of the Natural Radiation and Radioactive Dangers Associated with Regularly Used Medicinal Herbs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Gharam A. Alharshan & Mohamed S. Kamar & El Saeed R. Lasheen & Antoaneta Ene & Mohamed A. M. Uosif & Hamdy A. Awad & Shams A. M. Issa & Hesham M. H. Zakaly, 2022. "Distribution of Radionuclides and Radiological Health Assessment in Seih-Sidri Area, Southwestern Sinai," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-13, August.

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