The distribution of radioelements in El Gluf biotite granite, north Eastern Desert, Egypt: a guide to the recognition of anomalously radioactive zones

Abstract

El-Gluf area is located in the north Eastern Desert of Egypt. It is underlain mainly by Precambrian basement rocks and Phanerozoic sediments. It has been systematically surveyed using high-sensitivity airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetic methods. To identify and outline significant radiometric zones of anomalously high uranium and thorium concentrations in El Gluf biotite granite. These zones could be favourable for potential economic radioactive and/or metallic mineralization. This study could serve as a model for investigating the relationship between the geological structure and radioactive mineralization.

Statistical analysis of the gamma-ray spectrometric data were carried out to delineate anomalies. A two-dimensional trend analysis of faults as tracedfrom the geological map, the radiometric gradients, magnetic lineations and the courses of wadis (valleys) were carried out to delineate major and minor trends in the area.

Seven spectrometric anomalies (two pure uranium, two pure thorium, and three mixed) could be related to the prevailing faulting directions: N-S, N-W and NE. The NW and NE fault trends proved to have a significant impact on the localization of radiometric anomalies, which may point to potential and structurally controlled uranium and thorium mineralizations whose structures are considered to have acted as channel ways for the mineralized solutions.