Assessment of Radionuclides and some Heavy Metals in Environmental Samples along AbuZenima, AbuRedis Coastline in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Nuclear and Radiological Safety Research Center (NRSRC), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Egypt.

2 Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Egypt

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the radioactivity levels and the related radiological hazard indices, as well as the existing situation and concentrations of heavy metals along the AbuZenima- AbuRedis area, to identify potential contamination sources and establish a radioactive baseline for this area, 27 samples (18 sediments and 9 seawater) were taken. A high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector was used, the measured activity concentrations of the collected materials were 238U (226Ra), 232Th (228Ra), and 40K in Bq/kg, the active concentration of radionuclides were found in the range from 4.6 to 57.8 (14.46), 1.9 to 88.3 (13.13), and 13.2 to 357.7 (63.58) Bq/kg, results show that the average radioactive concentration of the average radionuclides was less than suggested by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) ranges. Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) in Bq, the absorbed dose rate in nGy/h (D), the yearly effective dose rate in mSv/y, the external and internal hazard indices (Hex, Hin), and the cancer risk factor were calculated. ICP-OES was used to measure the amounts of heavy metals along the shoreline of the research area to determine the causes of contamination. Levels of heavy metals, Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd in water, and the coastal sediments within the investigation region, vary. Temperature, TDS, pH, DO, and Eh of the Suez Gulf's water quality indicators were also measured. The mean annual effective doses in the air are lower than the recommended for the general public.

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