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Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping
Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613870450802688 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Delaney, Liam Connor |
| author2 | Bezuidenhout, J. |
| author_browse | Bezuidenhout, J. Delaney, Liam Connor |
| author_facet | Bezuidenhout, J. Delaney, Liam Connor |
| author_sort | Delaney, Liam Connor |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134598 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:00.621Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134598 Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping Delaney, Liam Connor Bezuidenhout, J. Le Roux, R. R. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Science. School for Science and Technology. Prospecting -- Geophysical methods Remote sensing Geological mapping -- Remote sensing Gamma ray spectrometry Geological surveys UCTD Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Delaney, L. C. 2025. Identification of Geological Formations by Means of Aerial Radioelement Mapping. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/4ce36ff9-d5eb-4c93-9a61-3d9b7cf2a2d9 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study presents an innovative application of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with gamma-ray spectrometry for high-resolution geological mapping, with a focus on differentiating lithologies based on their natural radioelement signatures. A compact UAV system was developed and calibrated to measure gamma-ray emissions from potassium (40K), uranium (238U), and thorium (232Th), enabling efficient aerial radiometric surveys. The Sea Point Contact in Cape Town, South Africa, where peraluminous S-type granites from the Cape Granite Suite intrude into the metasedimentary rocks of the Malmesbury Group, served as the test site due to its unique lithological and structural features. The UAV system was rigorously calibrated using height attenuation and footprint correction procedures to ensure quantitative accuracy at varying altitudes to determine the optimal height for measurements. Radiometric data were collected through both static ground-based measurements and dynamic UAV flights. Spatial interpolation, along with ternary maps, was used to produce distribution maps for 40K, 238U, and 232Th. These maps not only accurately defined lithological boundaries but also indicated predictable geographical variations in radionuclide concentrations associated with petrogenetic processes and mineralogical composition. The results reveal distinct geochemical signatures for the peraluminous S-type granites and metasedimentary rocks of the Malmesbury Group. The granite is enriched in uranium and potassium because of magmatic differentiation, the presence of accessory mineral assemblages, and potential uraninite crystallisation, which is indicated by the elevated uranium/thorium ratio (4.74) obtained for this rock type. The thorium concentrations were found to be consistent with those typically found in granitic rocks, primarily due to the presence of accessory minerals. The metasedimentary rocks contained moderate concentrations of uranium and thorium derived from detrital heavy minerals. The high uranium/thorium ratio (1.9) for this rock indicates that uranium enrichment may have occurred through hydrothermal fluids. The potassium enrichment reflects both primary mineralogy and metasomatic influence from granite. Ternary diagrams clearly distinguished the two lithologies, with granite samples clustering towards the uranium apex and metasedimentary samples towards the potassium apex. These patterns reflect the combined effects of lithological provenance, magmatic fractionation, hydrothermal alteration, and coastal weathering in dictating the radionuclide distribution across this contact zone. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie. Masters 2025-12-18T06:13:44Z 2025-12-18T06:13:44Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134598 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 119 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Prospecting -- Geophysical methods Remote sensing Geological mapping -- Remote sensing Gamma ray spectrometry Geological surveys UCTD Delaney, Liam Connor Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| title | Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| title_full | Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| title_fullStr | Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| title_short | Identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| title_sort | identification of geological formations by means of aerial radioelement mapping |
| topic | Prospecting -- Geophysical methods Remote sensing Geological mapping -- Remote sensing Gamma ray spectrometry Geological surveys UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134598 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT delaneyliamconnor identificationofgeologicalformationsbymeansofaerialradioelementmapping |