Contribution to the study of materials for shielding against Gamma nuclear radiation in Adrar desert environment

Abstract

This study examines the feasibility of natural clay materials from southern Algeria as effective and ecological substitutes for traditional radiation shielding materials. Due to the growing dependence on ionising radiation in medical, industrial, and agricultural sectors, ensuring sufficient protection from its detrimental effects has become essential. Historically, materials like lead and concrete have been employed for shielding because of their superior attenuation properties. Nonetheless, these materials had considerable disadvantages: lead is toxic and environmentally detrimental, whilst concrete may be cumbersome, rigid, and expensive in specialised contexts. These constraints have necessitated the exploration of alternate materials that are non-toxic, economical, and easily accessible. In this context, natural clays and their composites have emerged as viable alternatives due to their abundance, cost-effectiveness, thermal stability, and capacity for radiation attenuation. This study aims to assess the shielding efficacy of clay samples obtained from the Adrar region in Algeria by determining their linear and mass attenuation coefficients. Two computational tools were utilised: WinXcom, which provides theoretical estimates based on elemental composition, and Geant4, a Monte Carlo simulation toolbox that accurately represents particle interactions with matter. The findings indicate that the shielding efficacy of the clay samples fluctuates based on gamma-ray energy levels. At low photon energies, photoelectric absorption prevails, and the evaluated materials exhibit commendable performance, signifying their appropriateness for low-energy radiation shielding. As photon energy escalates, Compton scattering becomes increasingly significant, whilst at elevated energies, pair formation starts to affect attenuation characteristics, requiring materials with greater atomic numbers. A distinct hierarchy in shielding efficacy was noted across the evaluated samples, with S2 demonstrating the highest efficiency, succeeded by S4, S1, and S3. These findings indicate the viability of utilising Algerian clays for radiation shielding applications and underscore the potential for material optimisation via compositional or structural modification. Furthermore, Geant4 simulations provide a viable substitute for experimental testing, particularly in the absence of experimental infrastructure. It facilitates thorough planning, minimises errors, and ensures precise forecasting of material performance under diverse radiation situations. This study ultimately advances the global quest for affordable, effective, and environmentally sustainable radiation shielding solutions by utilising locally sourced materials with contemporary simulation tools.