A study of the distribution of natural radionuclides and their environmental impacts in Halayeb Triangle Area, along the South Eastern coast of the Red Sea, Egypt

الملخص EN

Thirty samples (14 surficial soil, 3 Sea water – 3 desalinated water, and 10 plant) were collected from halayeb triangle area along the south eastern Coast of the Red Sea, Egypt.

Distributions of natural radionuclides of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and137Cs in these samples were determined using γ-ray spectrometry.

The average activities of natural radionuclides in all samples in the study area are 19.38 (3.35–61.09) Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 10.87 (1.39–24.28) Bq kg−1 for 232Th, 245.25 (132.46–531.19) Bq kg−1 for 40K, and 1.48 (0.67-2.52) Bq kg−1 137Cs for surficial soil samples.

These values were 8.59 (1.48 – 21.57) Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 11.34 (2.64–25.44) Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 254.66 (69.73–450.58) Bq kg−1 for 40K, for plant samples.

For sea water samples, the average activity for 226Ra is 3.20 (1.99 – 3.91) Bq kg−1, for 232Th is 1.73 (1.24 – 2.45) Bq kg−1, and 15.10 (8.67–23.25) Bq kg−1 for 40K.

For desalinized water the average activity is under detection limits for 226Ra, 232Th, and 13.49 (8.67–17.85) Bq kg−1 for 40K.

A comparison of radionuclide activities in the study area and in other coastal and aquatic environments is given.

The radiation hazard parameters (absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, internal hazard index, external hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent); and transfer factor of elements from soil to plant were calculated.

The results of measurements will serve as base line data and background reference level for south Egyptian coastlines