Abstract
The streambed sediments of the Suez Canal have been analyzed for determining the natural radionuclides and long-lived radionuclides such as uranium by gamma and alpha spectrometric techniques. The specific activities of 238U series, 232Th series and 40K (Bq/kg) were measured by gamma spectrometry based on Hyper-Pure Germanium detector (HPGe). The average specific activities of 226Ra(238U) series, 232Th series and 40K were ranged from 3.04 ± 1.10 to 14.70 ± 1.24 Bq/kg, from 1.12 ± 0.66 to 16.10 ± 1.30 and from 77 ± 4.90 to 350.50 ± 8.90 Bq/kg respectively. The concentration of 238U and 234U in the streambed sediments are ranged from 3.24 ± 0.21 to 13.34 ± 0.61 ppm and from 3.18 ± 0.02 to 13.77 ± 0.03 ppm in dry weight respectively. 234U/238U ratios of the sediments are relatively lower than unity in many locations indicating the preferential uranium leaching process. The results with the high ratios for 234U/238U were observed in the sediment collected from Port Said. This may be attributed to the sorption of uranium by sediment which has a relatively high content of organic matter. The geochemical behavior of sediment, the chemistry of uranium and the flow rates of water are considered as the most important factors controlling uranium isotopic composition of the streambed sediment. The result of radioactivity in sediment samples can be used to distinguish any future changes due to non-nuclear industries on the Suez Canal area.
Highlights
The concentration of 238U and 234U in the streambed sediments are ranged from 3.24 ± 0.21 to 13.34 ± 0.61 ppm and from 3.18 ± 0.02 to 13.77 ± 0.03 ppm in dry weight respectively. 234U/238U ratios of the sediments are relatively lower than unity in many locations indicating the preferential uranium leaching process
There is a considerable amount of international trade transported in Egypt through the Suez Canal and this trade involves the transportation of radioactive materials [3]
The results show that 234U and 238U are in radiological equilibrium, namely activity ratio of 234U to 238U being 1.0 [33], if the uranium was placed in a closed system
Summary
Suez Canal is the shortest international passage for marine shipping with mass transportation of petrochemicals, crude oil, and fertilizers or radioactive mate-. It passes through an area of considerable industrial, agricultural and tourist activities in which heavy metals may be released into the marine environment. Transportation of radioactive materials is directly associated with the progress in every activity involving the use of nuclear energy, including education, medicine, industry, research, nuclear fuel cycle, and power generation. There is a considerable amount of international trade transported in Egypt through the Suez Canal and this trade involves the transportation of radioactive materials [3]. El-Tahawy et al (1994) [4], measured the radioactivity levels of both natural and artificial radionuclides in the stream water of Suez Canal and related bottom sediments and found that the fate of released radionuclides would strongly depend on the chemical affinity to particulate matter in suspended loads and bottom sediments
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