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The impact of geologic and structural settings on radioactivity: a case study from Sahab area, Jordan

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Abstract

The present study investigated the Sahab area's highly radioactive anomalous zone, utilizing a GRS-500 differential gamma-ray spectrometer to measure gamma-ray activity in the field. Solid-state nuclear track detectors were used to determine uranium concentrations. Our data revealed that gamma-ray activity ranged between 100 and 2500 counts per second, whereas uranium concentrations ranged between 88 ± 9.7 and 355.6 ± 37.4 ppm. The highest uranium concentrations and gamma-ray activity were identified along fault traces and synclines, whereas the lowest levels were detected close to anticlines. As a result, this recommended approach may be utilized to discover concealed structures (faults and folds). Furthermore, higher gamma-ray and uranium concentrations were associated with the Al-Hisa Phosphorite Formation. The correlation coefficient between gamma-ray activity and uranium content was 0.92. The association between gamma-ray activity and lithology revealed that the Al-Hisa Phosphorite Formation had the highest gamma-ray activity levels, which reached 2500 counts per second. The gamma-ray activity was between 200 and 600 counts per second in the Muwaqqar Chalk Marl Formation, 200 to 800 counts per second in the Wadi As Sir Limestone Formation and 100–400 counts per second in the Superficial Deposits and Um Rijam Chert.

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Acknowledgements

The results of this research are derived from the M.Sc. thesis of A. Al-Qawasmeh, entitled: application of radiometric study to mineral exploration and mapping of geological structures, case study: Sahab Area, Jordan. The research was under the supervision of Dr. B. Bataina and Dr. M. Al-Taj.

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support was received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Prince El Hassan Bin Talal Faculty for Natural Resources and Env., The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan

    Masdouq M. Al-Taj

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan

    Barakat A. Al-Bataina & Ahmad N. Al-Qawasmeh

  3. Green Process and Environmental Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

    Bilal B. Al-Bataina

Authors
  1. Masdouq M. Al-Taj
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  2. Barakat A. Al-Bataina
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  3. Ahmad N. Al-Qawasmeh
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  4. Bilal B. Al-Bataina
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Dosimeters preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by [Al-Taj, M., Al-Qawasmeh, A., and Al-Bataina, B]. Fieldwork done by [Al-Qawasmeh, A., and Al-Taj, M]. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Masdouq M. Al-Taj.

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Al-Taj, M.M., Al-Bataina, B.A., Al-Qawasmeh, A.N. et al. The impact of geologic and structural settings on radioactivity: a case study from Sahab area, Jordan. Environ Earth Sci 82, 9 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10689-y

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