Radionuclides distribution in marine sediment from Abu Soma Bay, Egyptian red sea coast

Abstract

Background and Objective: Measurements of natural radionuclides concentrations (226Ra,232Th and40K) in sediments collected from sea, rivers or ocean is significant to protect the sea water ecosystem and to human health from radiation. Materials and Methods: Thirty sediment samples were collected from Abu Soma Bay, Red Sea coast, Egypt for investigation by gamma-ray spectrometer using NaI (Tl) detector. Results: The average activity concentrations of226Ra,232Th and40K were 37.2, 25.7 and 265.5 Bq kgG1. These results were compared with reported ranges in the literature from other location in the world. The radiation hazard parameters, radium equivalent activity annual dose, external hazard were also calculated and compared with the recommended levels by International Commission on Radiological Protection and united nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation UNSCEAR reports. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, all samples would not present significant radiological hazards. Because there are no existing databases for the natural radioactivity in the sediment samples along Abu Soma Bay, our results are a start to establish a database for Abu Soma bay environment.