Radon Measurement and Radiological Dose Assessment From Terrestrial Rocks Using Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1. Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt

2 2. Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Research Center, Radiation Protection and Civil Defense Department, 13759, Egypt 3. Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (FNPL-JINR), 141980, Dubna, Russian Federation

3 4. Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Suez University, Suez, Egypt

4 2. Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Research Center, Radiation Protection and Civil Defense Department, 13759, Egypt

5 5. Nuclear Materials Authority (NMA), 530 El-Maadi, P.O. Box 530, Cairo Egypt

6 Physics department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

The Sukari granitoid pluton, namely the Sukari gold mine (SGM), located in Egypt's southeastern desert, is outstanding gold-bearing granite in the Arabian Nubian Shield. The CR-39 and LR-115 Nuclear Track Detectors (NTD) were used in the present study to determine radon concentration, after which the exhalation rate, annual effective dose, and work level were calculated. The overall average radon values from the CR-39 and LR-115 NTD are 11.27 and 11.29 kBqm-3, respectively, indicating a consensual correlation that depends on the charged particles, particularly accumulation radon gas emissions from investigated samples measured by Nuclear Track Detectors. The findings revealed a significant quantity of NORM in the SGM due to the radon concentration greater than the IAEA, ICRP, and UNSCEAR recommended limit of 1000 Bqm-3. The present study will evaluate and predict radioactive changes in the investigation area, assess dangerous radiation, and implement radiation safety standards for workers in the SGM. The research may also be useful in the future investigation and mining of nuclear materials for optimization business in the SGM and its surrounding area.

Keywords