Radiological Hazards and Natural Radionuclide Distribution in Granitic Rocks of Homrit Waggat Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Lasheen, El Saeed R.; Azer, Mokhles K.; Ene, Antoaneta; Abdelwahab, Wael; Zakaly, Hesham M.H.; Awad, Hamdy A.; Kawady, Nilly A.

doi:10.3390/ma15124069

Cited by 22 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…According to the worldwide average concentrations (35, 35, and 400 Bqkg-1) for 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K, respectively, which were reported by [ 40 ], our findings demonstrate that the samples’ average value of 40 K under investigation is lower than the world average, while the average value of 226 Ra and 232 Th are higher than the world average concentrations [ 2 , 41 – 44 ]. The variations in the activity concentration are associated with the methods by which the soils are concentrated as well as the radioactive distribution in the rocks from which they arise.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 61%

Assessing geochemical and natural radioactivity impacts of Hamadat phosphatic mine through radiological indices

et al. 2023

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The utilization of phosphorite deposits as an industrial resource is of paramount importance, and its sustainability largely depends on ensuring safe and responsible practices. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of phosphorite deposits for industrial applications such as the production of phosphoric acid and phosphatic fertilizers. To achieve this goal, the study meticulously examines the geochemical characteristics of the deposits, investigates the distribution of natural Radioactivity within them, and assesses the potential radiological risk associated with their use. The phosphorites are massive and collected from different beds within the Duwi Formation at the Hamadat mining area. They are grain-supported and composed of phosphatic pellets, bioclasts (bones), non-phosphatic minerals, and cement. Geochemically, phosphorites contain high concentrations of P2O5 (23.59–28.36 wt.%) and CaO (40.85–44.35 wt.%), with low amounts of Al2O3 (0.23–0.51 wt.%), TiO2 (0.01–0.03 wt.%), Fe2O3 (1.14–2.28 wt.%), Na2O (0.37–1.19 wt.%), K2O (0.03–0.12 wt.%), and MnO (0.08–0.18 wt.%), suggesting the low contribution of the detrital material during their deposition. Moreover, they belong to contain enhanced U concentration (55–128 ppm). They are also enriched with Sr, Ba, Cr, V, and Zn and depleted in Th, Zr, and Rb, which strongly supports the low detrital input during the formation of the Hamadat phosphorites. The high Radioactivity of the studied phosphorites is probably due to the widespread occurrence of phosphatic components (e.g., apatite) that accommodate U in high concentrations. Gamma spectrometry based on NaI (Tl) crystal 3×3 has been used to measure occurring radionuclides in the phosphorite samples. The results indicate that the radioactive concentrations’ average values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K are 184.18±9.19, 125.82±6.29, and 63.82±3.19 Bq Kg-1, respectively. Additionally, evaluations have been made of the radiological hazards. The calculated risk indicators exceeded the recommended national and world averages. The data obtained will serve as a reference for follow-up studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the Radioactivity of phosphatic materials collected from the Hamdat mine area.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 61%

Assessing geochemical and natural radioactivity impacts of Hamadat phosphatic mine through radiological indices

et al. 2023

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“…The current study showed that the distribution of uranium and thorium in the study rocks increases from basic to acidic types [ 35 ]. This trend may be attributed to the fact that in the early stages of magmatic evolution the principal minerals were pyroxenes, amphiboles, and plagioclase.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The U values estimate the first daughter isotope in the 238 U decay chain with the least amount of loss by utilizing the 234 Th energy peak (93 keV) to reflect the mass fraction of U. When 238 U and all of its daughter isotopes reach secular equilibrium, which takes place when the daughters’ rate of decay equals the parent’s one after four weeks, radium is measured at the 214 Pb peak of 352 keV energy, which is tied to a measure for the mass fraction of the U. Thorium is found in the Pb-212 peak, which has an energy of 238 keV [ 31 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Alharshan

Kamar

Lasheen

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The current contribution goal is to measure the distribution of the radionuclide within the exposed rock units of southwestern Sinai, Seih-Sidri area, and assess the radiological risk. Gneisses, older granites, younger gabbro, younger granites, and post granitic dikes (pegmatites) are the main rock units copout in the target area. Radioactivity, as well as radiological implications, were investigated for forty-three samples from gneisses (seven hornblende biotite gneiss and seven biotite gneiss), older granites (fourteen samples), and younger granites (fifteen samples of syenogranites) using NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. External and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), internal and external level indices (Iα, Iγ), absorbed dose rates in the air (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AED), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose (AGDE), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and the value of Upper Continental Core 232Th/238U mass fractions were determined from the obtained values of 238U, 232Th and 40K for the examined rocks of Seih-Sidri area. The average 238U mg/kg in hornblende biotite gneiss and biotite gneiss, older granites, and syenogranites is 2.3, 2.1, 2.7, and 8.4 mg/kg, respectively, reflecting a relatively higher concentration of uranium content in syenogranites. The results suggest that using these materials may pose risks to one’s radiological health.

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“…Potassium, as well as its naturally occurring radioisotope 40 K, enters the plant roots through ion channels, or transporters, that are also used for the Cs + ion transporter. As a result, a high K content in soil inhibits the adsorption of Cs, and the impact could be heightened by higher mobility of the potassium ion in soil, which increases the availability of potassium to plants [17]. The purpose of this study was to provide information on: natural radionuclide activity concentrations in numerous medicinal plants; the radiation hazards related to the intake of therapeutic plants, as evaluated in this research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An In-Depth Examination of the Natural Radiation and Radioactive Dangers Associated with Regularly Used Medicinal Herbs

Saudi

Abedelkader

Issa

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The specific activity of U-238 and Th-232, as well as K-40 radionuclides, in twenty-nine investigated medicinal herbs used in Egypt has been measured using a high-purity germanium (HP Ge) detector. The measured values ranged from the BDL to 20.71 ± 1.52 with a mean of 7.25 ± 0.54 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238, from the BDL to 29.35 ± 1.33 with a mean of 7.78 ± 0.633 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232, and from 172 ± 5.85 to 1181.2 ± 25.5 with a mean of 471.4 ± 11.33 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40. Individual herbs with the highest activity levels were found to be 20.71 ± 1.52 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238 (H4, Thyme herb), 29.35 ± 1.33 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232 (H20, Cinnamon), and 1181.2 ± 25.5 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40 (H24, Worm-wood). (AACED) Ingestion-related effective doses over the course of a year of uranium-238 and thorium-232, as well as potassium-40 estimated from measured activity concentrations, are 0.002304 ± 0.00009 (minimum), 0.50869 ± 0.0002 (maximum), and 0.0373 ± 0.0004 (average)(mSv/yr). Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), absorbed gamma dose rate (Doutdoor, Dindoor), gamma representative level index (I), annual effective dose (AEDtotal), external and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), and excess lifetime cancer risk were determined in medicinal plants (ELCR). The radiological hazards assessment revealed that the investigated plant species have natural radioactivity levels that are well within the internationally recommended limit. This is the first time that the natural radioactivity of therapeutic plants has been measured in Egypt. In addition, no artificial radionuclide (for example, 137Cs) was discovered in any of the samples. Therefore, the current findings are intended to serve as the foundation for establishing a standard safety and guideline for using these therapeutic plants in Egypt.

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Radiological Hazards and Natural Radionuclide Distribution in Granitic Rocks of Homrit Waggat Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Cited by 22 publications

References 32 publications

Assessing geochemical and natural radioactivity impacts of Hamadat phosphatic mine through radiological indices

Assessing geochemical and natural radioactivity impacts of Hamadat phosphatic mine through radiological indices

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

An In-Depth Examination of the Natural Radiation and Radioactive Dangers Associated with Regularly Used Medicinal Herbs

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