Radiometric and Geochemical Features of Rocks in Sicily, Italy

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, exhibits a very large variety of lithologies, ranging from sedimentary, metamorphic and volcanic rocks. Samples of rocks from Sicily have been analyzed XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) and gamma-ray spectrometry with HPGe detectors. Major element concentrations along with specific activities of 40K, 214Bi, 228Ac natural radionuclides have been determined in few tens of samples. Specific activities of 137Cs, from nuclear explosions (mainly from the experiments in Northern Africa in the past decades) and accidents (namely Chernobyl), have been also measured. Experimental data have been also analyzed through multivariate and hierarchical clustering statistical techniques. Geochemical and radiometric data are in good agreement with the mineralogical and petrographic characteristics of the samples. (Author)