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Nondestructive Analysis of Uranium Isotopic Activity, Enrichment, Concentration, and Age with a Sensitive γ-Ray Spectrometer for El-Sella Site Samples

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Radiochemistry Aims and scope

Abstract

Nondestructive method has been used to determine the age, activity, isotopic composition of uranium, and total uranium ore concentration (UOC) for the El-Sella site at the Egyptian Eastern Desert. This method is based on measuring gamma rays emitted from different uranium isotopes using a highly sensitive hyperpure germanium detector (HP-Ge) with 50% relative efficiency. In the framework of forensic analysis to study the radioactivity level, there are essential factors that have been determined: identification of the present radioactive isotopes, calculation of their specific activities, enrichment percentage of 235U, and uranium age dating. Therefore, this study provides all information that is important to illustrate the environmental radioactivity in the selected site; in addition, the enrichment percentage and age of uranium isotopes are presented. The results show that El-Sella site has low lifetime age values, high radioactivity levels, high uranium concentration, and is naturally enriched in 235U. These results are tabulated, discussed, and compared to the finding from the recently published national and international research with respect to the radioactivity levels and limits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Engineering Department, Military Technical College, Kobry El-Koba, 11331, Cairo, Egypt

    M. Sabry, M. A. E. Abdel-Rahman & A. Omar

  2. Nuclear and Radiological Regularity Authority (ENRRA), 11762, Nasr City, Egypt

    S. A. El-Mongy

Authors
  1. M. Sabry
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  2. S. A. El-Mongy
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  3. M. A. E. Abdel-Rahman
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  4. A. Omar
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Correspondence to A. Omar.

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Sabry, M., El-Mongy, S.A., Abdel-Rahman, M.A.E. et al. Nondestructive Analysis of Uranium Isotopic Activity, Enrichment, Concentration, and Age with a Sensitive γ-Ray Spectrometer for El-Sella Site Samples. Radiochemistry 63, 620–626 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1066362221050106

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