Environmental and health impact of current uranium mining activities in southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

Stream sediments and groundwater samples were collected from the vicinity of El Allouga uranium mine in southwestern Sinai and analyzed for their radionuclides to explore the geochemical dispersion and environmental impact. The radioactivity measurements were performed using γ-ray spectrometry and UV-photometry. Most stream sediments samples have eU concentrations more than the background level. The significant correlations between eU, clay, and organic matter contents reflect possible adsorption of U to the surface of clay and organic matter. The high radionuclide concentrations in the stream sediment are mainly due to contamination from the mining process, and, in some locations, due to rock outcrops weathering. The measured concentrations of U in groundwater samples exceed the Maximum Contamination Level of groundwater U (30 ppb). The lack of correspondence of U concentrations in the country rocks and associated groundwater indicates the high mobility of U and reflects absence of a simple rock/water equilibration. Water resources in the study area have 234U/238U activity ratios with obvious deviations from secular equilibrium. The U isotopic data support that uranium ore body could be locally forming within the rock aquifer at El Allouga area. The calculated external hazard parameter values are higher than the worldwide average in 30% of the studied stream sediment samples; this indicates that people who are exposed to that level of radiation for a lifetime would have an elevated cancer risk. The Annual Effective Dose resulting from U activity concentrations in the studied drinking water is significantly higher than the recommended limit for children and adults. Therefore, the available water resources in the study area are considered unsafe for human consumption.

Radiation Hazard from Natural Radioactivity in the Marine Sediment of Jeddah Coast, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

“…A comparative PCC (Table 3) analysis was conducted to pinpoint the direct association between the specific characteristics of the considered marine sediments and 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K. Correlations of 0.20-0.39, 0.40-0.59, 0.60-0.79, and 0.80-1.00 are considered weak, moderate, strong, and very strong, respectively [87]. 238 U has significant strong positive correlations with mud content (Pearson's R = 0.678) and weak positive correlation with OM (Pearson's R = 0.357), indicating the effect of fine particles and OM on the distribution of 238 U [37]. 238 U has moderate positive correlations with 232 Th (Pearson's R = 0.419), this is due to the co-existence of U and Th radionuclides in nature [69,85,88], which is reflected by the presence of both radioelements in the SEM/EDX of monazite grain (Figure 4).…”

“…For example, the United Arab Emirates launched the Arabian Gulf region's first nuclear program by constructing four nuclear reactors [35,36]. Egypt has begun restarting its ambitious program to construct nuclear power reactors [37]. Saudi Arabia's nuclear energy ambitions are in the initial stages, and the country recently revealed a proposal for nuclear power development that will be completed by 2040 [36,38,39].…”

Distribution of Radionuclides and Radiological Health Assessment in Seih-Sidri Area, Southwestern Sinai

“…It is also possible that the area of investigation considered is one of the most important areas in southwest Sinai. In many studies, different authors have used geospatial techniques as structural techniques, seismology and geophysics as well as Safe Urban Extension Studies in southwestern Sinai [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Due to the limited uranium mineralization and the accompanying radiation exposure zones, it is possible that the predicted impacts on the ecosystem will be minimal.…”

Integrated Hydrological Modeling for Watershed Analysis, Flood Prediction, and Mitigation Using Meteorological and Morphometric Data, SCS-CN, HEC-HMS/RAS, and QGIS

“…The risk reduction and sustainable management of natural resources necessitate periodic assessment to avoid adverse natural and anthropogenic effects [10][11][12]. Water resource management and flood hazard assessments are becoming increasingly critical in arid and semi-arid areas because of climate change and urbanization accompanied by land cover/land use changes [9,[13][14][15][16][17].…”