Environmental studies involving determination of some radionuclides at Qaroun lake, al-Fayoum, Egypt

Abstract EN

The levels of natural radioactivity in some environmental samples (liquid, sediment, shore and soil) from Qaroun Lake, Al Fayoum Governorate, Egypt were measured.

The total organic compounds of the solid samples were calculated using the thermogravimetric analysis technique TGA.

Concentrations of radionuclides in samples were determined by γ-ray spectrometer using HPGe detector with a specially designed shield.

Energy and efficiency calibration of the detector have been done with the standard sources supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The radiological effects of the estimated radioactivity in the surrounding environment of the Qaroun Lake was calculated to be; the Radium equivalent activity Raeq=55.27 Bq/kg, absorbed dose rate =19.69 nGy/h, effective dose rate=31.56 μSv/y and external hazard index Hex=0.11 Bq/kg.

The data presented will be used as baseline for radionuclide concentration in the studied area and also used as reference information to assess any changes in the radioactive background level.