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Application of Geospatial Approaches to Prospect Radioactive Minerals in the Um Bogma Younger Granites, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

  • S. I. Geology of Africa
  • Published:
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Abstract

In this work, the probable sites of the radioactive mineralization in the younger granite of the Um Bogma area was mapped, prospected and detected by using geospatial technology. Our approach combined diverse data that have a close relationship with radioactive mineralization. These data are lithological, hydrothermal alteration minerals and airborne data. To achieve the aim of this work, the geospatial technology was used. Two techniques band ratio and Feature Oriented Principal Component Analysis (Crosta technique) were applied on ASTER satellite images to distinguish lithology and minerals indicative of hydrothermal alteration. Estimated weights were assigned to the lithology, alteration minerals and airborne data based on statistical methods. All these weighted data integrated to produce the predictive control models that related to mineralization using GIS applications. Three potential sites for radioactive mineralization were identified from the predictive control model. These potential sites were validated via fieldwork surveillance from these sites. Both of fieldwork and laboratory examinations confirm the association of these potential sites with the altered younger granite where uranophane and other minerals are recorded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Materials Authority, Cairo, P.O.B.530, Egypt

    Ali E. Omar

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  1. Ali E. Omar
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Correspondence to Ali E. Omar.

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There are no potential conflicts existing and no funding sources in the paper under title: "Application of Geospatial Approaches to Prospect Radioactive Minerals in the Um Bogma Younger Granites, Southwestern Sinai Egypt".

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Highlights

1- Produce predictive control model map for radioactive mineralization sites with in younger granite.

2- Three localities are (W. Um Bogma, W. Elshallal and north W. Seih Sidri) considered as very high probability in mineralization associated with younger granite according to predictive control model.

3- Two radioactive anomalies associated with the younger granite are detected in W. Elshallal environs. The lowest contains eU 105ppm eTh content 254 ppm while the highest anomaly reaches eU content 360 ppm and eTh content 250 ppm. These anomalies ascribed to the presence of secondary uranium mineral (uranophane) and the U&Th bearing-minerals.

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

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Omar, A.E. Application of Geospatial Approaches to Prospect Radioactive Minerals in the Um Bogma Younger Granites, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 14, 328 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06684-5

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