The bostonite dikes in the studied area of Egypt are one of the most radioactive felsic intrusions found in the South Eastern Desert due to their elevated levels of natural occurring radionuclides and the radiological hazards associated with them. This study presents an integration of geochemical signatures and gamma-ray spectrometry data to quantify the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K found in bostonite samples. Geochemical characterization was performed using ARL X-ray fluorescence, while radioactivity was measured using a calibrated sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) gamma-ray spectrometer. The geochemical signatures of the investigated bostonite dikes from El Sela-Qash Amir area reveal that the analyzed samples fall in trachyte field, calc-alkaline affinity. They are distinguished by remarkable higher concentrations in large-ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and high field strength elements (HFSEs). Gamma-ray investigations have revealed significant and variable levels (Mean ± standard deviation) of 238U (150 ± 47 Bq kg− 1), 232Th (103 ± 17 Bq kg− 1), and 40K (1379 ± 182 Bq kg− 1) compared to average global crustal values. The statistical results of multivariate analysis (including Pearson’s correlation coefficient, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis) indicated that 238U and 40K were the most significant contributors to the variation observed in radiological hazard parameters across the bostonite. Based on the radiological hazard parameters calculated, samples of bostonite near their highest acceptable limits and ELCR calculations indicate that long-term exposure may have a detrimental health impact. These results demonstrate that bostonite disturbances have significant radiological importance and warrant future monitoring and regulation due to the health effects of the bostonite rocks at studied area.
Gawad et al. (Sun,) studied this question.