Terrestrial gamma radioactivity levels and their corresponding extent exposure of environmental samples from Wadi El Assuity protective area, Assuit, Upper Egypt

SOIL-SOYBEAN TRANSFER FACTOR OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN DIFFERENT SOIL TEXTURES AND THE ASSESSMENT OF COMMITTED EFFECTIVE DOSE

From three different soil textures (clay, silt and sand), 36 soil and soybeans samples were accumulated from the agricultural area of EL-Mynia governorate in Upper Egypt, between (27°36'19.44″N; 30°30'14.14″ E) and (28°48'28.45″ N; 31°00'32.27″ E). Soil textures were prepared by particle size distribution through a pipette method. Its radioactivity measurements were performed with a NaI (Tl) and 3 × 3 inch crystal. The transfer factor (TF) of natural radionuclides from soil to soybeans was calculated. The value of the TF for 226Ra in clay soil ranges from 0.27 ± 0.03 to 0.42 ± 0.05, in sandy soil it ranges from 0.21 ± 0.02 to 0.57 ± 0.07 and in silt soil it ranges from 0.25 ± 0.03 to 0.53 ± 0.06. The TF for 232Th in clay soil ranges from 0.22 ± 0.03 to 0.90 ± 0.12, in sandy soil it ranges from 0.21 ± 0.03 to 1.00 ± 0.13, while in silt soil it ranges from 0.25 ± 0.03 to 0.88 ± 0.12. The TF for 40K in clay soil ranges from 0.95 ± 0.13 to 2.05 ± 0.29, in sandy soil it ranges from 1.21 ± 0.17 to 2.52 ± 0.35 and in silt soil it ranges and from 1.01 ± 0.14 to 1.46 ± 0.26.The results show that the committed effective dose from soybean consumption is between 54.5 and 103.4 μSv y-1 assuming consumption of 20 kg y-1.

Assessment of radiological parameters and metal contents in soil and stone samples from Harrat Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia

The current work deals with measurement and distribution of natural radionuclides for twelve (12) soil and fifteen (15) stone samples collected from Harrats Al Madinah in western region of Saudi Arabia. Two methods were used in this investigation gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF).The activity concentrations of radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) were measured using γ-ray spectrometer NaI(Tl) model (A320) made in the U.S.A. The average values of the concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 37.5 ± 0.1, 28.0 ± 0.5 and 300.6 ± 1.7 Bq/kg respectively. The obtained results show that the mean radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices and radiation level index were 100.67 BqKg-1, 55.63μSv, 0.27, 0.37 and 0.73 respectively. The results were compared with the recommended limits in the literature from other locations and with the global allowable limits recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The obtained results are concordant with the magnitude of safe criteria and exposure risks which were recommended in public papers. The current study is considered as the first baseline data for the natural radioactivity and metal contents measured by X-ray fluorescence method in the Harrat Al Madinah city.

Environmental implications and spatial distribution of natural radionuclides and heavy metals in sediments from four harbours in the Egyptian Red Sea coast

Measurements of natural radionuclides concentrations (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) in sediments collected from sea, rivers or ocean is significant to protect the sea water ecosystem and to human health from radiation. Thirty-three sample of sediment have been collected from four ports in the Red Sea coast, Egypt for investigation by gamma-ray spectrometer using NaI(Tl) detector. The average and range activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were 26(5-58), 19(4-33) and 458(16-2665)Bqkg^-1 in Quseir Harbour, 30(14-53), 20(14-34) and 430(378-511)Bqkg^-1 in Abu-Tartour Harbour. However, the average and range activity concentrations were 23(14-35), 21(15-32), and 602(327-821)Bqkg^-1 in Touristic Harbour and 14(5-26), 13(2-23) and 489(36-950)Bqkg^-1 in Hurghada harbour. These results were compared with reported ranges in the literature from other location in the world. The radiation hazard parameters; radium equivalent activity annual dose, external hazard were also calculated and compared with the recommended levels by UNSCEAR reports. Eight heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) have been measured and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentration for the investigated heavy metals overtakes the allowable limits recommended by the Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines. Because there are no existing databases for the natural radioactivity in the sediment samples from Egyptian Red Sea ports, our results are a start to establishing a database for Red Sea harbours environment.