Variation in U-238 and Th-232 enrichment in U-mineralized zone and geological controls on their spatial distribution, Singhbhum Shear Zone of India

The determination of the natural radioactivity has been carried out, by means of gamma-ray spectrometry, in exposed rock samples collected from various geological formations across the Singhbhum Shear Zone of India. The spatial variation in the concentration of primordial radionuclides reflects, in general, the geochemical variance among the analyzed rocks and affirms the earlier views on genesis of uranium mineralization. This study further speculates new possibilities of thorium depletion during shearing and metamorphism. All the obtained U-values were more than the worldwide average U-concentration (which is about 40 Bq/kg). Interestingly, U-concentration in mica schists from Singhbhum group of rocks and in slates and argillaceous quartzites from Iron Ore group of rocks was five to seven times higher than the global values. In contrast, the granites in study area showed comparatively lower U-concentration. The overall results suggest the control of complex metamorphism and shearing on U-distribution in the terrane. The contribution of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K to the total radiation dose in the study area was found to be significant ranging from 110 to 310 nGy/h in comparison with the lower global, as well as Indian average values.