Evaluation of Natural Radioactivity and Physico-Chemical Characteristics alongEl-Salam Canal, Egypt

Abstract

The presence of primordial radionuclides in human habitats has always been a source of prolonged nuclear radiation exposure. Measurements of naturally occurring radionuclides in the environment can be used as a baseline to evaluate the impact caused by non-nuclear activities. This study aimedfor evaluation of the radioactivity assessment of El-Salam Canal as a source of irrigation water and assesses the possible potential radiation risk to the public around it. The samples were prepared and the activity concentrations of226Ra, 232Th and 40K in surface water and shoresediment samples collected along El-Salam Canal were measured usingHpGe detector.The results for the measurementsof natural radioactivity revealed that,the mean average of absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose rate (AEDE), radium equivalent (Raeq), external and internal hazard indices and the total hazard index (Hex+Hin) fall within the worldwide averages. The recorded and calculated values were lower than the acceptable limits published in the different localities around the world. The electrical conductivity(EC) values of El-Salam Canal samples increased after mixing with Hadous drain compared with after mixing with El-Serw drain. Soluble cations, anions and the Sodium Adsorption Ratio(SAR)in different water locations, increased progressively with increasing salinity content of the water. All trace elements in water samples showed significant increase compared to Nile water concentrations of these pollutants especially at the end of the canal.The results of the shore sediments analysis showed that the SAR values were ranged from 1.15 to 2.85 whereas; the corresponding values for exchangeable sodium percent(ESP) were ranged from 69.20 and 77.90 %. The obtained data could be used as reference data for any future use for modeling purposes