Sediment natural radioactivity and heavy metals assessment from the beaches of Ras-Gharib, Red Sea, Egypt

Natural 238U, 232Th and 40K activity in sediment samples from beaches along Ras-Gharib coast on the Red Sea, Egypt has been estimated. Eighteen sediment samples from 3 beaches were collected and measured with Nal (Tl) gamma spectrometry. The average specific activities are 28 ±1.9, 24±2.8, and 382±2...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mostafa, M. Y. A., Zakaly, H. M. H., Uosif, M. A. M., Issa, Sh. A. M., Madkour, H., Tammam, M.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Atomic absorption analysis
Beaches
Cadmium
Copper
Dosage
Environmental quality
Heavy metals
Human influences
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Marine environment
Natural radioactivity
Nickel
Oil exploration
Oil spills
Sediments
Wadis
Zinc
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Summary:Natural 238U, 232Th and 40K activity in sediment samples from beaches along Ras-Gharib coast on the Red Sea, Egypt has been estimated. Eighteen sediment samples from 3 beaches were collected and measured with Nal (Tl) gamma spectrometry. The average specific activities are 28 ±1.9, 24±2.8, and 382±21.4 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K, respectively. These values are less than the worldwide average of 33, 45, and 412 Bq kg−1 recommended by UNSCEAR reports. Absorbed dose rate the annual effective dose are calculated 34 nGyh−1 and 42 µSvy−1 respectively. Eight heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) have been measured and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). ln some samples, the concentration for the investigated heavy metals exceeds the permissible limits recommended by the Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines. This indicated that the degree of metals pollution is caused by anthropogenic activities (Terrigenous sediments transported to the marine environment by some wadis in the General Beach area, oil spills as a result of exploration and extraction in General Company of Petroleum) and/or by natural impacts.
ISSN:0094-243X
1551-7616
DOI:10.1063/5.0032164