Validation of a database of mean uranium, thorium and potassium concentrations in rock samples of Portuguese geological units, generated of literature data

The European Atlas of Natural Radiation has been under development for the past 15 years. Among the lacunae of the Atlas are maps of U, Th and K concentrations in rocks due to lack of European-wide geochemical surveys of bedrock units. The objective of this paper is to investigate the usability of scattered geochemical data to establish a comprehensive database of mean concentrations of uranium, thorium, and potassium in rock samples from Portuguese geological units. We compiled literature data and calculated mean concentrations for each geological unit, validating these results by comparing calculated mean terrestrial dose rates with measured values. Our methodology involved analyzing variance components attributable to geochemical analysis methodologies. The results indicate that this generated database allows for the establishment of large-scale maps of U, Th, and K concentrations, which could significantly contribute to environmental radiation studies. This validation provides a necessary step for future environmental safety assessments in the context of nuclear safety and security.