Distribution of elemental compositions of zeolite quarries and calculation of radiogenic heat generation

Abstract

The effectiveness ofthe use of zeolites in different industrial processes depends on their physical-chemical properties that are distinctly connected to their geological deposits. In this study, major oxides, eco-toxic metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Zr, Cd and Pb), and rare earth (Y, La, Ce, Pr and Nd), radioactive (Th and U) and other trace elements contents of eighty-one zeolite samples collected from four different zeolite quarries in Gordes in Turkey were analysed by using energy dispersed X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Also, pH values and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios were determined for zeolite samples. In addition, radiogenic heat generation (RHG) caused by radiations emitted from uranium (U), thorium (Th) and radioactive potassium (K-40) in zeolite samples wereestimated.Gordes zeolite contains major oxides, on average, 75.1% SiO2, 14.1% Al2O3, 3.2% K2O, 2.4% CaO, 1.7% Fe2O3, 1.4% MgO, 1.3% Na2O. The average concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Th and U analysed in zeolite samples were found as 24.8, 2.1, 47.830.1 and 6.0 mgkg(-1), respectively. According to average SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, the ZO1 quarry contains middle silica zeolites while ZO2, ZO3 and ZO4 quarries contain high silica group zeolites. RHG values estimated for zeolite samples varied from 2.3 mu Wm(-3)to 4.1 mu Wm(-3).