Assessment of natural radionuclides released into different environmental compartments caused by usage of phosphate fertilizers

Abstract EN

The general goal of this study is to make measurement of radioactivity released into different environmental compartments (plant and soil) caused by use of phosphate fertilizers.

the present study included 53 samples were obtained from the eastern side of Nile delta in the region including 20 soil samples before and after fertilization, 20 plant samples before and after fertilization, 10 samples of water wrapping the soil before fertilization and 3 phosphate fertilizer samples.

the mean concentration of 226 Ra in the soil and plant samples before and after fertilization is higher than the global average.

after fertilization, mean value concentration of 40 K was higher than before fertilization and average global world.

226 Ra, 40 K and 228 Ra are greater than average background levels after fertilization.

regarding heavy metals concentration in plant samples, before and after fertilization, the concentration of as well as cd are larger than maximum allowable limit.

Pb element in plant samples after fertilization is higher than permissible limits.

it could be concluded that after use of phosphate fertilizers, the total concentration of 226 Ra in soil and plant samples increase than before fertilization.

after fertilization, the average concentration of 40 K in plant samples increase than before fertilization and heavy metals levels of As, Cd and Pb are higher than guideline limits.