Application of x-ray fluorescence, delayed neutron counting and flame emission spectrometry in the investigation of radiometric anomalies in the Sokoto Basin of Nigeria

Radioelement contents of rock samples collected from some locations in the Sokoto Basin, Nigeria, where radiometric anomalies had earlier been delineated by gamma-ray spectrometric surveys, were determined by x-ray fluorescence technique using sup(238)Pu and sup(109)Cd excitation sources. The uranium contents determined were compared with delayed neutron counting results, while flame emission spectrometry was used to cross-check potassium contents. The analyses revealed uranium and thorium enrichments, with U/Th ratio of about 1.8, and negligible potassium concentrations in most samples. (author)