Lithofacies study of the natural phosphates: Quantification, genetic involvement and distribution of natural radionuclides

Abstract

The Danian–Persian (–65 to –46 MA) Moroccan phosphate deposits of Ghar Tajer was geochemically characterized. Sediments are formed of Phosphate intercalated with limestone and marl and argillaceous rocks. Specific activity and isotopes ratios: 234U/238U, 230Th, 232Th/238U were determined at 20 sediments samples collected at different depth. In this presentation, we give the preliminary results of the behavior of uranium in sedimentary rocks associated with samples deposits by measuring 238U, 234U, 235U, 232Th and 230Th activities and their isotopes ratios. A first attempt to correlate the behavior of the radionuclides measured by alpha spectrometry and lithology of samples of phosphate was accomplished.