Levels and effects of natural radionuclides in sediment banks of Rhumel River (Northeast Algeria)

Abstract

Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in Boumerzoug River sediment (the main tributary of Rhumel river) have been measured using high resolution HPGe detector. The activity concentrations of the samples were range from 16.662.32 Bq/kg to 43.484.03 Bq/kg with mean value of 26.641.33 Bq/kg for 226 Ra, 20.011.98 Bq/kg to 32.713.85 Bq/kg with the mean value 25.951.46 Bq/kg for 232 Th and 81.7033.59 Bq/kg to 259.2038.80 Bq/kg with the mean value 164.5011.30 Bq/kg for 40 K. These values were used to estimate the radiation hazard indices. The absorbed dose and annual effective dose were evaluated to assess the radiation risk due to the use of these sediments.

Oral and dermal exposure to natural radionuclides and heavy metals in water and sediments of Nile River, Qena, southern Egypt

“…The average activities of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K were higher than those observed in previous studies for sediments from Qena 48 and Damietta 49 , Egypt, and Al-Husseiniya River 44 , Iraq, but lower than those observed for Euphrates River 50 , Syria and Calabria River 13 , Italy. Furthermore, the average activities of 226 Ra and 232 Th were lower than the reported values for Nile sediments from Qena 51 , EL-Mina 52 , and Rashid 49 in Egypt, and for sediments from Maritza, Tundja River 1 in Turkey, and Rhumel River 53 in Algeria. In contrast, 40 K exhibited higher activity compared to similar studies in Egypt and worldwide, except for those involving the Euphrates River, Syria, and Calabria River, Italy.…”