Radioactive potentiality and uranium migration as assessed from airborne gamma-ray spectrometric data, north Wadi Qena area, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt

The airborne gamma-ray spectrometric (AGS) data of the north Wadi Qena area were used to map the radioactive potentiality and uranium migration. Examination of the potassium (K), equivalent uranium (eU), equivalent thorium (eTh), and ternary maps displayed the areas of potential radioactivity. The results of uranium favorability (U₂) index revealed that the granitic rocks, Rakhiyat, Esna, and Sudr formations, have high uranium potential. On the other hand, the computed uranium migration maps (original uranium (U_o), migrated uranium (U_m), uranium migration rate (P%), eU-eTh/3.5, and eU point anomaly) allowed the delineation of migration patterns (inward and outward) for all the rock units of the area under study. The inward uranium migration distinguished the Sudr, Esna, and Rakhiyat formations, while the other rocks displayed outward uranium migration. The investigation of geological structural data indicated that the research area was influenced by NNW-SSE, NE-SW, NNE-SSW, ENE-WSW, and WNW-ESE trends. These structures most likely had a significant influence on uranium movement and migration (in and out) of the rocks in the current study area.