Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Uranium mobility and its implication on favourable potentiality concentration in Gabal Um-Araka area, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt

  • S. I. Geology of Africa
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The airborne gamma-ray spectrometric data of Um-Araka area, Northern Eastern Desert of Egypt, were treated and correlated with the geological map with the aim of searching for areas of high potentiality of uranium mineralization. Uranium migration was applied to yield leaching and deposition zones of uranium for each rock unit. The positive values (representing deposition zones) are recorded on intermediate metavolcanics, Samh Formation, alkali feldspar granites, monzogranites and Gharamul Formation. Meanwhile, negative values (representing leaching zones) are associated with acidic metavolcanics, gabbro-diorites, granodiorites and Gabir Formation, as well as Pleistocene sediments, alluvial and recent wadi sediments. Uranium favourability indices (U2) and alteration—F—parameters were calculated for the different lithologic units. Monzogranite, alkali feldspar granite and intermediate metavolcanics with Wadi sediments show relatively high values for both indicators. Meanwhile, Pleistocene sediments and Samh Formation display relatively the lowest values.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd-El Aal AY (1995) Chemistry and geothermometry of some rock forming minerals from A-type granitic intrusions, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt, vol 7. Egyptian Mineralogy, pp 1–32

  • Abdel-Monem AA, El Amin HH, El-Afandy AH, Hussien HA, Abdel-Aty MA (1998) Petrological and geochemical characteristics of some younger granites bearing U-mineralization: recognition criteria of uranium province in Egypt, vol 48. Egyptian Academy of Sciences, Cairo, pp 213–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Deif A, Abouelnaga HSO, Hassanein HEI (2007) Radioelements and uranium migration in granites, El-Missikat tunnels, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geophysics Department, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (JKAU) Earth Sci 18:89–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aero-Service (1984) Final operational report of airborne magnetic/radiation survey in the Eastern Desert, Egypt. For the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority (EGSMA), Aero-Service Division, Houston, Texas, USA, Six Volumes

  • Akaad MK, Noweir AM (1980) Geology and lithostratigraphy of the Arabian Desert orogenic belt of Egypt between latitudes 25° 35′ and 26° 30′ N. Inst. Appl. Geol. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bull. No. 3, pp. 127–135

  • Akkad S, Dardir A (1966) Geology of the Red Sea coast between Ras Shagara and Marsa Alam. Egypt Geol Surv 35. 67 p

  • Ali KG (2003) Geology and radioactivity of Naba-Nuweibi area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Ph. D., Thesis, Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt

  • Ali MMH (2011) Geology and radioelements distribution in the sedimentary rocks of Gabal Abu-Shaar El-Qibili, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. of Sc., Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt, 232 p

  • Asfahani J, Aissa M, Al-Hent R (2007) Uranium migration in sedimentological phosphatic environment in Northern Palmyrides, Al-Awabed Area, Syria. Appl Rad Isot 65:1078–1086

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aswathanarayana U (1985) In Principles of nuclear geology. Oxonian Press Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

  • Benzing Uranium Institute (1977) Field Gamma-Ray Spectrometric Survey No. 3, 1:292, China

  • China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) (1993) Research achievement from Bureau of Geology. Internal report, China

  • Clarke SP Jr, Peterman ZE, Heier KS (1966) Abundances in uranium, thorium and potassium. In: Handbook of physical constants, Geological Society of America, Memoir vol 97, p. 521–541

  • Cuney M (1997) Metallogenic studies and uranium exploration in Eastern Desert granites, Egypt. IAEA, RU-7295

  • Dardir AA, Abu Zeid KM (1972) Geology of the basement rocks between latitudes 27° 00′ N & 27° 30′ N. Eastern Desert, Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 2:129–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Darnely AG, Ford KL (1989) Regional airborne gamma-ray surveys, a review. In: Proceedings of Exploration, 87; Third Decennial International Conference on Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration for Minerals and Groundwater, Edited by G.D. Garland, Ontario, Canada, Geol. Sur. of Canada, Special Vol. 3, pp. 229–240

  • Efimov AV (1978) Multiplikativnyj pokazatel dlja vydelenija endogennych rud po aerogamma-spektrometriceskim dannym. In: Metody rudnoj geofiziki, edited by: Naucno-proizvodstvennoje objedinenie "Geofizika" Leningrad

  • Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA) (2005) Geologic map of Hurghada, Scale 1: 250 000, Cairo, Egypt

  • El Galy MM (2007) Mobilization of some radioelements and its implication on their favourability; case study on selected granitic plutons, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt Sci. J., Fac. Sci., Minufia Univ., V. XXI, pp. 19–38

  • El Galy MM, El Mowafy AA (2003) Geological and geochemical characteristics of the uranium-thorium bearing younger granites and pegmatites at Wadi Seih area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt. Egyp J Geol 47(2):787–811

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Debeiky SA (1994) Petrology, geochemistry and geochronology of the old granite batholith between Safaga and Hurghada, Eastern Desert, Egypt. (M.Sc. Thesis), Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, 203 p

  • El-Ramly MF (1972) A new geological map for the basement rocks in the eastern and southwestern deserts of Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 2:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shazly EM (1964) On the classification of the Precambrian and other rocks of magmatic affiliation in Egypt. U. A. R. International Geological Congress, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Fullagar PD, Greenberg JK (1978) Egyptian younger granites: a single period of plutonism? Precambrian Res 6:A22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith JH, Saunders DF (1983) Rock classification by characteristics of aerial gamma ray measurements. J Geochem Explor 18:49–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghanem M, Dardir AA, Francis MH, Zalata AA, Abu Zeid KM (1973) Basement rocks in Eastern Desert of Egypt, north of latitude 26° 40' N. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 3:33–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Gnojek I, Prichystal A (1985) A new zinc mineralization detected by airborne gamma-ray spectrometry in northern Moravia, Czechoslovakia. Geo-exploration 23:491–502 Elsevier Sc. Pub., B.V., Amesterdam, Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashad AH (1980) Present status of geochronological data on the Egyptian basement complex. Instit Appl Geol Jeddah Saudi Arabia Bull 3:31–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan AA, Ghieth BM, Khalil AF, Nigm AA (2003) Uranium favourability and its mode of migration in some rocks in the Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt. Egypt J Geol 47(2):1125–1138

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussein AA, Ali MM, El-Ramly MF (1982) A proposed new classification of the granites of Egypt. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 14:187–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamh SZ (2008) Evaluating geological and environmental data for urban expansion using satellite images and GIS, An application on Hurghada area, Egypt. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Sci., School of Geology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece. 260 p

  • Killen PG (1979) Gamma-ray spectrometric methods in uranium exploration: application and interpretation. Geophysics and Geochemistry in the Search for Metallic Ores. Hood PJ (ed) Geol. Surv. Canada, Economic Geology, Report No. 31, pp. 163–229

  • Nuclear Materials Authority (NMA) (1999) A report on work progression during sub-stage II (December, 1998- February, 1999) on uranium evaluation in Abu-Zeneima Area, Sinai, Egypt. Confidential Report, NMA, Cairo

    Google Scholar 

  • Roz ME (1994) Geology and uranium mineralization of Gabal Qattar area, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt. M. Sc. Thesis, Al-Azhar Univ., Cairo, Egypt, 175 p

  • Sabet AH, El-Gaby S, Zalata AA (1972) Geology of the basement rocks in the northern parts of El-Shayib and Safaga sheets, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Cairo Egypt 2:111–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Salem MMA (1998) Geology and radioactivity of Faliq El-Sahl and El-Waar areas, northern eastern desert, Egypt. M. Sc. Thesis, Fac. Sci., Cairo University, Geiza, Egypt. 127p

  • Sarma DD, Koch GS (1980) A statistical analysis of exploration geochemical data for uranium. Math Geol 12(2):99–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders DF, Potts MJ (1978) Manual for application of NURE 1974-1977 aerial gamma-ray spectrometric data. U. S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction Office, Report GJBX–13(87), 183 p

  • Soliman MA, Ahmed EA, Purser BH (1993) Evolution of the Pliocene sediments in the NW part of the Red Sea rift, Egypt. Geol Soc Egypt Spec Publ 1:233–251

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Hedge CE (1985) Geochronologic and isotopic constraints on late Precambrian crustal evolution in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Am J Sci 285:97–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker ME (2003) Mixed clastic-carbonate cycles and sequences: quaternary of Egypt and Carboniferous of England. Geol Croat 56(1):19–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinogradov AP (1962) Average contents of chemical elements in the principle of igneous rocks. Geohem 7:641–664

    Google Scholar 

  • Youssef MAS, Sabra MEM, Abdeldayem AL, Masoud AA, Mansour SA (2017) Uranium migration and favourable sites of potential radioelement concentrations in Gabal Umm Hammad area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Astron Geophys (NRIAG) 6:368–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box: 530, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

    Reda Abdu Yousef El-Qassas & Atef Mohamed Abu-Donia

Authors
  1. Reda Abdu Yousef El-Qassas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Atef Mohamed Abu-Donia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Reda Abdu Yousef El-Qassas.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on New Advances and Research Results on the Geology of Africa

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

El-Qassas, R.A.Y., Abu-Donia, A.M. Uranium mobility and its implication on favourable potentiality concentration in Gabal Um-Araka area, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 12, 707 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4902-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4902-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation