Radiation Attenuation Assessment of Serpentinite Rocks from a Geological Perspective

Abstract

Serpentinites are metamorphic rocks that are widely applied as aggregates in the production of radiation-shielding concrete. Different varieties of massive serpentinite mountains located in Egypt exist without real investment. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the radiation shielding efficacy of three varieties of serpentinite rocks from different geological perspectives: mineralogical, geochemical, and morphological characteristics. X-ray diffraction, transmitted-light microscopy, and thermal analysis were required to characterize their mineralogical composition, while X-ray fluorescence was necessary to investigate their geochemical features. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used to detect their morphological characteristics. On the other hand, the PuBe source and stilbene detector were employed for the experimental determination of fast neutrons and γ-ray attenuations, which were conducted at energy ranges of 0.8–11 and 0.4–8.3 MeV, respectively. Based on the mineralogical, geochemical, and morphological characteristics of these rocks, the radiation attenuation capacity of lizardite > antigorite > chrysotile. However, these serpentinites can be applied as a natural alternative to some radiation-shielding concrete in radiotherapy centers and other counterpart facilities.

From Hazardous Chrysotile and Polyamide Wastes into Sustainable Serpentine/Polyamide Nanocomposite Membrane: Fabrication, Characterization, and Environmental Application

“…The content of Dol and Mag in the investigated serpent was mainly governed by hydrothermal solutions intensity that associated the experie serpentinization process [31] and/or rodingitization process, and hence the degree leaching and serpentinite carbonization in the form of Mag and Dol, respectively. Th currence of fractured magnetite (Figure 2b) can be interpreted in accordance with F dation in the olivine mineral of the parent ultramafic from which such serpentinites derived [30]. In addition, very minor relics of fresh chromite (Chr) were also obs (Figure 2d) in the center of magnetite, indicating the secondary origin of the latter pense of the former during the experienced serpentinization processes [30].…”

“…Th currence of fractured magnetite (Figure 2b) can be interpreted in accordance with F dation in the olivine mineral of the parent ultramafic from which such serpentinites derived [30]. In addition, very minor relics of fresh chromite (Chr) were also obs (Figure 2d) in the center of magnetite, indicating the secondary origin of the latter pense of the former during the experienced serpentinization processes [30]. According to ASTM E1621 [32], the chemical compositions of nine powdered SP ples (<100 µm) were investigated using the XRF technique, and the average resul compiled in Table 3.…”

“…The microscopic investigations for some of the collected representative serpentinites (Figure 2a) by a polarizing light microscope (Nikon) in both PPL and CPL (Figure 2b-d) showed that chrysotile (Ctl) is the dominant serpentine phase in Wadi Atalla serpentinites with a reasonable occurrence of dolomite (Dol) and a minor presence of magnetite (Mag) and lizardite (Lz). The predominance of Ctl, which is marked by folded and sheared fibers, over the other serpentine polymorphs (Lz) indicates a high degree of the experienced serpentinization processes [17,[27][28][29][30]. Magnetite (Mag) is also the product of hydrothermal alteration of the harzburgite.…”

“…and lizardite (Lz). The predominance of Ctl, which is marked by folded and sheared fi over the other serpentine polymorphs (Lz) indicates a high degree of the experience pentinization processes [17,[27][28][29][30]. Magnetite (Mag) is also the product of hydrothe alteration of the harzburgite.…”

Deep Insights into the Radiation Shielding Features of Heavy Minerals in Their Native Status: Implications for Their Physical, Mineralogical, Geochemical, and Morphological Properties

“…Although concrete is the most prevalent material used to mitigate natural disasters [24] and man-made radiation leakages, a recent trend has occurred with respect to the exploitation of such minerals as native materials (in their original state, without their embedding as aggregates or additives in concrete, composites, or polymers), replacing concrete and cement pastes [25]. The most common types of these natural materials are serpentine minerals [26], halloysite [27,28], barite [29,30], chambersite [31], magnetite, limonite, hematite [30], granite [32,33], serpentinite rocks [34], garnet [35], and quartz [36]. The purposes of this trend are to (1) decrease the pollution resulting from the use of cement as a result of the use of concrete, (2) reduce the energy and costs stemming from the cement industry, (3) exploit the massive reserves of these minerals, which have no benefit to be used as nuclear waste landfills, (4) exploit additional space using thinner shielding walls, and (5) reduce the amount of maintenance that is needed compared to that which is needed for concrete.…”