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<p>The syenogranite of Gebel Ras El Khashit–Wadi Khashir area represents a significant uranium-bearing granitoid system within the Eastern Desert of Egypt. This study provides an integrated, multi-disciplinary assessment demonstrating that radiological signatures can be effectively used as quantitative and diagnostic indicators of uranium mineralization within altered granitoids, offering a refined approach to uranium exploration in the region. Twenty representative syenogranite samples were analyzed using calibrated high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the activity concentrations of equivalent uranium (eU), equivalent thorium (eTh), radium (Ra), and potassium (K). The samples exhibit a wide range of uranium enrichment, spanning background to strongly mineralized levels. Multivariate statistical analysis reveals that uranium-series radionuclides constitute the principal source of variability within the dataset, whereas potassium displays an independent geochemical behavior. The results show markedly elevated eU values, high eU/eTh ratios, and weak correlations between uranium and thorium, collectively indicating significant uranium mobilization under open-system conditions. Uranium isotopic disequilibrium and elemental ratios further confirm repeated uranium redistribution associated with post-magmatic hydrothermal processes and secondary enrichment and depletion events. A key outcome of this work is the clear spatial and genetic association between radiometric anomalies and hydrothermal alteration assemblages, including alkali metasomatism, sericitization, muscovitization, hematitization, and fluoritization, which exert primary control on uranium concentration and redistribution. Mineralogical investigations identify uranophane as the dominant uranium-bearing phase, with minor thorite, while zircon, fluorite, and aluminosilicate phases contribute to uranium accommodation mainly through micro-inclusions and surface coatings. The integration of radiometric data with mineralogical and alteration evidence demonstrates that radiological signatures can serve as a robust predictive exploration tool for delineating uranium-fertile zones. By establishing a direct genetic and quantitative linkage between radiometric anomalies, isotope disequilibrium, and mineral-scale uranium hosting, this study advances radiological methods from descriptive mapping tools to predictive exploration vectors in granitoid-hosted uranium systems and highlights the economic potential of Gebel Ras El Kharit–Wadi Khashir syenogranites.</p>

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Radiological signatures as indicators of radioactive mineralization in economically promising syenogranites of Gebel Ras El Kharit–Wadi Khashir area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月22日

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  • Shimaa. Kh. El Wafaa,
  • W. H. El-Abbady,
  • G. M. Saleh,
  • Mona M. Fawzy,
  • M. G. El Feky,
  • A. M. Ismail

摘要

The syenogranite of Gebel Ras El Khashit–Wadi Khashir area represents a significant uranium-bearing granitoid system within the Eastern Desert of Egypt. This study provides an integrated, multi-disciplinary assessment demonstrating that radiological signatures can be effectively used as quantitative and diagnostic indicators of uranium mineralization within altered granitoids, offering a refined approach to uranium exploration in the region. Twenty representative syenogranite samples were analyzed using calibrated high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the activity concentrations of equivalent uranium (eU), equivalent thorium (eTh), radium (Ra), and potassium (K). The samples exhibit a wide range of uranium enrichment, spanning background to strongly mineralized levels. Multivariate statistical analysis reveals that uranium-series radionuclides constitute the principal source of variability within the dataset, whereas potassium displays an independent geochemical behavior. The results show markedly elevated eU values, high eU/eTh ratios, and weak correlations between uranium and thorium, collectively indicating significant uranium mobilization under open-system conditions. Uranium isotopic disequilibrium and elemental ratios further confirm repeated uranium redistribution associated with post-magmatic hydrothermal processes and secondary enrichment and depletion events. A key outcome of this work is the clear spatial and genetic association between radiometric anomalies and hydrothermal alteration assemblages, including alkali metasomatism, sericitization, muscovitization, hematitization, and fluoritization, which exert primary control on uranium concentration and redistribution. Mineralogical investigations identify uranophane as the dominant uranium-bearing phase, with minor thorite, while zircon, fluorite, and aluminosilicate phases contribute to uranium accommodation mainly through micro-inclusions and surface coatings. The integration of radiometric data with mineralogical and alteration evidence demonstrates that radiological signatures can serve as a robust predictive exploration tool for delineating uranium-fertile zones. By establishing a direct genetic and quantitative linkage between radiometric anomalies, isotope disequilibrium, and mineral-scale uranium hosting, this study advances radiological methods from descriptive mapping tools to predictive exploration vectors in granitoid-hosted uranium systems and highlights the economic potential of Gebel Ras El Kharit–Wadi Khashir syenogranites.