Study of radiometric anomalies in the hit-Abu Jir area and the surroundings, west Iraq

Abstract EN

Processing and qualitative interpretation of the radiometric data in the Hit – Abu Jir area, west Iraq, is carried out in the present work.

The data is analyzed and separated to its residual and regional (background) maps.

The regional maps show an increase in radioactivity background towards the northeast, while the residual radiometric anomaly maps show consistent and semi continuous belt of radioactive anomalies along the Euphrates River basin and mostly at the southern and western sides of the basin.

The radioactivity in the study area is connected with certain lithological and stratigraphic units, located within the carbonate rocks of the Euphrates Formation (Lower Miocene) as well as around spring-water deposits.

A comparison between radiometric map and geological map is executed; showing radioactivity range of each geologic formation.

A correlation is carried out between two geologic sections and the radiometric map which shows conspicuous change in radioactivity level at the contact of different geologic formations.

It is concluded that the structural setting of the study area played an important role in increasing the concentration of the radioactive elements and controlled their location and extension.