Metal concentrations and radioactivity in sediments at the northern coastal zone of Ikaria Island, eastern Mediterranean, Greece

Abstract

Heavy metals and radionuclides were investigated in the northern coastal zone of Ikaria Island. The collected sediment samples are sandy and they contain distinct heavy metal- and actinide-hosting minerals. All samples exhibit low U and Th content relative to granitic rocks of Aegean islands. The enrichment factor indicates an anthropogenic enrichment in As and Pb due to boat pigments. The radioactivity is mainly attributed to 40K (up to 1480 Bq kg−1) and 232Th radionuclide series. The natural radioactivity of the northern coastal zone is lower compared to that of the southern coast where renowned thermal springs are located.