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A High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Geophysical Survey for the Evaluation of Radiogenic Heat in Tiouit, Morocco's Eastern Anti-Atlas: Prospects for Sustainable Energy.

Abdelhalim MIFTAH
Hassan Fist University of Settat, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Physic-Chemistry of Processes and Materials, Research Team Geology of the Mining and Energetic Resources, Settat 26002, Morocco.
Email: a.mifah@ubp.ac.ma
How to cite: Abdelhalim MIFTAH, "A High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Geophysical Survey for the Evaluation of Radiogenic Heat in Tiouit, Morocco's Eastern Anti-Atlas: Prospects for Sustainable Energy.", Sciences Methods and Technologies International Journal (SciMeTech), Vol 2, Issue 2, p 25-31
Abstract
The application of radiogenic heat production (RHP) data, obtained from high- resolution gamma- ray spectrometric measurements, can offer significant information in the context of geothermal and clean energy resource exploration. In the Tiouit region, located in the Eastern Anti- Atlas, Morocco, gamma- ray spectrometric data were used to calculate the contribution of heat production elements U, Th, and K, and their distribution in the area, in relation to different geological formations. Based on the international classification criteria, most of the geological formations in the area present moderate levels of radiogenic heat production, varying from 1.38 to \(1.96 \mu \mathrm{W} / \mathrm{m}^3\) . Higher RHP values of approximately \(2.10 \mu \mathrm{W} / \mathrm{m}^3\) are related to the rhyolite ignimbrite formations and rhyolite- rich conglomerates. This suggests these geological formations are of significant interest for the exploration of the geothermal resources of the region. While the granodiorite formation has moderate RHP value levels of approximately \(1.79 \mu \mathrm{W} / \mathrm{m}^3\) , the extensive geographical area covered by the formation makes it a significant contributor to the RHP of the region. The mafic and pelitic formations have moderate RHP value levels.
Keywords: Radiogenic heat production, Gamma-ray spectrometry, Geothermal potential, Clean energy, Geophysics

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SciMeTech · Vol 2, Issue 2 · p 25-31