Characterization of the feldspar placer deposits of Umm Shaddad Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta, Egypt

2 Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, Red Sea Branch, Hurghada, Egypt

Abstract

In the present study, placer feldspar resources in the Umm Shaddad region, Qusier, Egypt were invested to the appropriateness as raw materials for the glass and ceramic industries. Umm Shaddad area located west of Umm Gheig Lead Zinc Mine, at latitude 25o37' and 25o41' and longitude 34o19' and 34o24'. Chemical analyses revealed that the SiO2 content in the analyzed feldspar placer deposit, is an average of 74.16%. This value is higher than that required for glass industries but lower than the commercial average of ceramic industries. When compared to the commercial average for glass and ceramic sectors, the average content of Fe2O3 (2.48%) is considered high. The average K2O content in the analyzed samples is 4.77%, which is higher than the commercial values. Na2O content averages 3.05% and Al2O3 averages 11.79%, which are lower than the commercial average for the glass and ceramic sectors. The radiometric effect of the raw feldspar of Umm Shaddad was also evaluated. Activity index of Gamma (Iγ) and Alpha (Iα), Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and Hazard indices (Hex and Hin) are lower than the acceptable world value. However, the total Annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) of the studied samples ranged between 0.82 to 1.261 with an average 1.137 which is higher than that of the world’s acceptable values. In conclusion, although the feldspar placers of Umm Shaddad have suitable content of oxides after minor treatment while, the high values of total Annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) diminished its use for either ceramic or glass industries.

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Alfarama Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences
Volume 4, Issue 2
April 2023
Pages 320-339

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