Assessment of major toxic elements and natural radioactivity concentrations in fish of Suez Canal, Egypt

Abstract EN

The present study has been carried out to determine the concentrations of some toxic elements (Pb and Fe) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, and the radionuclides concentration levels of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using a high purity germanium spectrophotometer in the most common fish samples collected from local store in Suez Canal.

The contamination of Pb and Fe in fish samples was found to be within limits of tolerance.

The measured concentration in (Bq/Kg) dry weight of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fish samples was calculated.

Theresults show that the activities in fish samples were of no risk to public health.

The mean specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 8.17±2.35, 14.18± 2.5 and 412.3 ±18.7 Bq/kg respectively.

The absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index and annual external effective dose rate were calculated and found to be within UNSCEAR limits.