Mineralization and radioactive potential of Magal Gebreel rocks, South Eastern Desert, Egypt: Health risk evaluation

Abstract

The present research aims to evaluate the radiation dosages in the Magal Gebreel granitic phases, which encompass monzogranites, alkali feldspar granites, and altered granites (widely exposed along the shear zone). The former rocks have an average of 89.28 ± 23.85 Bqkg −1 for 238 U, 51.71 ± 9.65 Bqkg −1 for 232 Th, and 995.34 ± 160.21 Bqkg −1 for 40K utilizing the NaI (Tl) analyzer. Alkali feldspar granites have an average of 146.32 ± 46.73 Bqkg −1 for 238 U, 77.57 ± 11.21 Bqkg −1 for 232 Th, and 1120.54 ± 26 Bqkg −1 for 40 K. The later (altered granites) have the highest activity concentrations of 232 Th (avg. 360.57 ± 58.02 Bqkg −1 ), 40 K (avg. 1197.23 ± 106.53 Bqkg −1 ), and 238 U (avg. 3797.50 ± 725.68 Bqkg −1 ), as well as their summation (avg. 2201.60 ± 250.62 Bqkg −1 ). It is obvious that the investigated rocks contain increased activity concentrations and therefore fall above the widely accepted worldwide requirements. The results of microscopic and ESEM analysis revealed large assemblages of significant minerals enclosed in the Magal Gebreel rocks such as precious, base metals, accessories, radioactive-bearing, REE-bearing, and Nb-Ta- bearing minerals. Radium equivalent, dose of human body, absorbed dose rate and annualized dosage, excess life-time cancer, coupled with extra radiological characteristics were inferred for these rocks. Given that the measures of most of these criteria are higher than the international average, it is distinct that the tested rocks (certainly altered granites) have a considerable effect on the natural gamma emission released.