Estimating and interpretation of radioactive heat production using airborne gamma-ray survey data of Gabal Arrubushi area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The present work deals with mapping of radioactive heat production from rocks in the Gabal Arrubushi area in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt based on airborne spectral gamma-ray survey data. The results show that the radioactive heat production in the areas ranges from 0.01 mu Wm(-3) to 5.2 mu Wm(-3). Granites, muscovite and sericite schists in the western part of Gabal Arrubushi area have abnormally high radioactive heat production values from 2.57 mu Wm(-3) to 4.44 mu Wm(-3). Meanwhile, the higher averages of radioactive heat production of these rock units change from 1.21 mu Wm(-3) to 1.5 mu Wm(-3). The intermediate averages of heat production of felsitic mylonite schist, chlorite schist, felsites, amphibolites and Hammamat sediments are below the crustal average value range, i.e., from 0.8 mu Wm(-3) to 1.2 mu Wm(-3). The lowest averages of heat production values are less than 0.8 mu Wm(-3) and found in the following rock units: Wadi sediments, rhyolites, andesites, gabbro and serpentinites. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.