Title: Assessment of natural radioactivity and heavy metals in Burullus Lake, Egypt

Authors: H.M. Diab, A.B. Ramadan, M.H.E. Monged

Addresses: Radiation Protection Department, National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control (NCNSRC), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Egypt. ' Environmental Site Department, Radiation Protection Department, National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control (NCNSRC), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Egypt. ' Environmental Site Department, Radiation Protection Department, National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control (NCNSRC), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Egypt

Abstract: The Egyptian lakes have economic, social and environmental significance. To predict the radiological impacts of environmental radioactivity, it is necessary not only to define their concentrations but also their behaviour in different environmental systems. Also, recently, trace elements including rare earth elements have begun to be used in large amounts for advanced industries. These are expected to be discharged into surface waters. Also drainage (industrial, agricultural and human) into lakes has harmful effects on aquatic life. In this study, Burullus Lake was chosen because of its great importance based on the different uses of the lake and its surroundings, namely recreation, tourism, fisheries, industrial water source, etc. We have investigated natural and artificial radioactivity levels in the lake. The radioactivity concentrations of natural (²²⁸Ac, ²³⁴Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K) and man-made (¹³⁷Cs) radionuclides in water and sediment samples were determined. Also, heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in the samples.

Keywords: correlation; man-made radioactivity; heavy metals; lakes; natural radioactivity; Egypt; radiological impact; water pollution; sediment; low radiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2006.012002

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2006 Vol.3 No.4, pp.273 - 283

Published online: 09 Jan 2007 *

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