Merging and fractal techniques applied on gamma-ray spectrometric datasets for characterizing the radionuclide distribution in Syria

This paper presents the surficial regional radiometric gamma-ray spectrometry maps of thorium (eTh) and potassium (K) for Syria. Merging of the airborne and carborne data is used to create the eTh and K maps. The contents of eTh and K of the available 781 rock samples distributed on the Syrian territory are analyzed by fractal concentration–number (C–N) modeling, where the spatial variations eTh and K maps are established. The C–N technique allows four radioactive K and eTh ranges to be distinguished. The ranges of K are: the first is less than 0.63%, the second is between 0.63 and 1%, the third is between 1 and 1.45%, and the forth is bigger than 1.45%. The ranges of eTh are: the first is less than 4.57 ppm, the second is between 4.57 and 13.18 ppm, the third is between 13.18 and 19.50 ppm, and the forth is bigger than 19.5 ppm. The values of more than 1% and 13.18 ppm for the K and eTh respectively are related to the phonolitic acid volcanic rocks encountered in Northwestern of Syria.