QUALITATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE AIRBORNE RADIOMETRIC DATA OF SHITHATHA QUADRANGLE USING GIS TECHNIQUES

Abstract

The total count radiometric data of the map area was analyzed and separated to its residual and regional (background) maps. The regional maps showed an increase in radiometric background towards the southwest, while the residual radiometric anomaly map showed three residual radiometric anomalies distributed in the map area. Anomaly (R1) located in the southwest of the map area and mostly coincides with Quaternary Sediment (Depression Fill Sediments, Habbariya Gravels and Valley fill Sediment) and related to the radioactivity of potassium element. Anomaly(R2) located in the midst of the map area and coincides withZahra Formation, Umm ErRadhuma Formation, Dammam Formation, Nfayil Formation, Euphrates Formation, and the Quaternary Sediment(Valley fill sediment and Residual soil), this anomaly is related to the radioactivity of uranium and potassium element. Anomaly (R3) located in the northwest of the map area and coincides with Nfayil Formation,and the Quaternary Sediment (Valley fill sediment and Inland Sabkha), and related to the radioactivity of uranium element. A comparison between total count radiometric map of the map area and the geological map of ShithathaQuadrangle was carried out; it showed that there is a radioactive range of each geologic formation and Quaternary sediments. It was concluded that, in general, the structural setting of the map area, which characterized by existence of numerous surface andsubsurface structuremight play an important role in forming the radiometric anomalies of the map area.