Uranium migration and radioactive characteristics of the Sarıçiçek and Sarıhan Granodiorites

Abstract

The radionuclide concentrations of eU (ppm), eTh (ppm), K (%) and dose rate values were measured in Sarıçiçek (Gümüşhane) and Sarıhan (Bayburt) granodiorites for a duration of 5 minutes at each of 532 measurement points. The radioelement ratios (eU/eTh, eU/K, and eTh/K) indicating the origins of the rocks, the geochemical indicators (Ume, F parameter, and eU-(eTh/3,5) rate) showing the uranium mobility and the radioelement concentrations were calculated and mapped within the study areas. The average K, eU, and eTh concentrations were calculated as 2.98%, 3.15 ppm, and 12.45 ppm for Sarıçiçek granodiorite, and 1.83%, 2.73 ppm, and 13.6 ppm for Sarıhan granodiorite, respectively. Higher radioactivity values were observed in basaltic, sedimentary, and ultramafic rock combinations within the granodiorite masses. In the classification according to radioelement ratios, it was concluded that the rocks in the study areas formed as a mixture of upper mantle and crustal materials. In both study areas, there was uranium transport from the granodioritic masses into the surrounding rocks, and accordingly, the rocks in the surrounding formations were enriched in uranium. As a result, radioactivity levels, rock formation origins, and uranium transport of both granodioritic masses and rocks in the surrounding formations were determined by evaluation with radioelement concentration values and ratios and migration parameters. The study areas were characterized by associating them with geology in light of radioactive data. © 2023, Murat Yakar. All rights reserved.