Aerial radioactivity of phosphates in the Western Central Eastern Desert of Egypt

Abstract EN

Gabal Duwi Formation has been generally distinguished into lower and middle/upper phosphate-bearing members, occurring in the form of a chain along the eastern border of the River Nile between latitudes 25'1O'N and 26')O'N and longitudes 32'50'E and JJo30'E for about 150 krn, as well as in other sporadic locations .

Gabal Duwi Formation is characterized by intermediate 10 high aeroradioactivity level of anomalous nature , varying generally in radiometric intensity between J.O and 20.0 ~R/h .

The computed mean background radioactivity range s from 4.64 to 16.5 ~RJh while the standard deviation varies between 0.88 and 4.70 ILRJh.

These data point out that radioactivity fluctuates considerably around the calculated mean.

The differentiation between the lower and the middle/upper members of the phosphate-bearing sediments appears to be possible on the basis of aeroradioactivity level which lies in the generally higher radioactivity level possessed by the latter members.

Also , it has been revealed through statistical analysis of acroradioactivity data that the lower and middle/upper members of the Gabal Duwi Formation do not actually belong \0 one and the same parent population as far as radioactivity is concerned.