Indian Journal of Advances in Chemical Science, Volume: 9, Issue :3, August 2021

ISSN No.: 2320-0898 (Print); 2320-0928 (Electronic)

DOI: 10.22607/IJACS.2021.903006

Research Article

Radiometric Characteristics of the Lagoa Real Uraniferous Province, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The present work proposes the evaluation of radiometric data of Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium concentrations in the Lagoa Real Uraniferous Province, Brazil. The data obtained from the São Timóteo project allowed to construct Uranium, Thorium, Potassium, and Total Count distribution maps. The results were compared with the geological and topographic maps. It allowed us to identify the main geological bodies of the region and to evaluate the natural radioactivity in the albitite formations which are rich of uranium ore in the Lagoa Real Intrusive Suite. Therefore, the research presents the characterization of the subsurface geological structures associated with uranium mineralization zones in the region based on radiometric information, being the uranium-rich albitite regions characterized by high counts of the three radioactive elements. We found that the Lagoa Real Intrusive Suite formed by uraniferous albitites, not only presented high concentrations of uranium (almost 7 ppm) but also high concentrations of potassium (just over 4%) and thorium (almost 50 ppm), thus being the most important region for mining activities.

Key words:  Uranium, Thorium, Potassium, Radiometric Method, Lagoa Real

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