title: Evaluation of heat generation by radioactive decay of sedimentary rocks in Eastern Desert and Nile Valley, Egypt.
abstract: Radioactive heat-production (RHP) data of sedimentary outcrops in Gebel Anz (Eastern Desert) and Gebel Sarai (Nile Valley) are presented. A total of 103 rock samples were investigated, covering all major rock types of the areas. RHP were derived from uranium, thorium and potassium concentrations measured from gamma-radiation originating from the decay of (214)Bi ((238)U series), (208)Tl ((232)Th series) and the primary decay of (40)K, obtained with a NaI (Tl) detector. The heat-production rate of Gebel Anz ranges from 0.94 (Nubai Sandstone ) to 5.22 microW m(-3) (Duwi Formation). In Gebel Sarai it varies from 0.82 (Esna Shale) to 7 microW m(-3) (Duwi Formation). The contribution due to U is about 62%, from Th is 34% and 4% from K in Gebel Anz. The corresponding values in Gebel Sarai are 69.6%, 26.9% and 3.5%, respectively. These data can be used to discuss the effects of the lateral variation of the RHP rate on the heat flux and the temperature fields in the upper crust.
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt. abbady1965@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Adel G E
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Abbady
mesh_terms: D004534:Egypt; D005720:Gamma Rays; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D006358:Hot Temperature; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D011851:Radioactivity; D011883:Radium; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D013910:Thorium; D014501:Uranium
chemical_list: D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium; D011883:Radium