Abstract West Qasr El-Farafra area is particularly important for establishing new integrated urban communities. It is characterized by its flat area covered with slopes of limestone and sandstone limestone and sandstone rocks. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry and magnetic data were used for environmental radiation monitoring and mapping the basement surface in the west Farafra area. This study investigates the concentrations and distribution patterns of three radionuclides- 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K-in sedimentary rocks. Analysis reveals that 238 U has a mean concentration of 37 Bq kg -1 with high variability and a positively skewed distribution, suggesting localized enrichment processes. 232 Th shows a mean concentration of 32 Bq kg -1 and exhibits moderate skewness and a flatter kurtosis, likely due to the presence of thorium-bearing minerals. In contrast, 40 K has a mean concentration of 665 Bq kg -1 with the least variability and a near-normal distribution, attributed to the widespread presence of potassium-bearing minerals. Radiological parameters, including the radium equivalent activity (Ra eq ), dose rate (D air ), and annual effective dose (AED), generally indicate lower radiological hazards compared to global averages, though some samples exhibit elevated levels. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrates strong associations among the radionuclides and radiological risk indicators, with 232 Th showing the highest correlation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) further reveal that 40 K and 232 Th are more closely related, while 238 U behaves distinctly, indicating different geological or environmental influences. Consequently, as a result of the above findings, the location of interest is generally radiologically acceptable for redevelopment purposes pending verification of a site specific nature within those areas where anomalous levels can be found.
EL-HAWARY et al. (Tue,) studied this question.