Uranium migration in Paleozoic lateritic Paleosol Samples, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

This paper spotlights on determining the concentrations and distribution of radionuclides in paleozoic lateritic paleosol samples from El-Gor area, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt, using highresolution gamma spectrometry. The concentrations of eU (ppm), eTh (ppm), and K (in percentage) were determined. The obtained data of eU, eTh and their ratios were used for calculations of uranium migration tendency and its remobilization. The mean activity concentrations of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K were 480.92 Bqkg-1, 22.38 Bqkg-1, 31.80 Bqkg-1, 401.98 Bqkg-1 and 222.44 Bqkg-1, respectively. The migration study showed that the uranium is migrated-in in the paleosol and this is also confirmed by the mean 238U / 226Ra ratio which in the side of uranium enrichment than radium.