Environmental Analysis and Radioactivity Assessment of Samples from South Egypt Region for Industrial Applications

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to utilize the nondestructive neutron activation (NA) method for the analysis of six representative samples collecting from Abu Rasheid area using the Second Egyptian Research Reactor (2 MW) in the Atomic Energy Authority in Inshas. Several strategic and important elements are found in the investaged samples (Zr, Zn, Mn and Cr). These elements are necessary for many future industrial development. Natural radioactivity levels for eighteen samples from Abu Rusheid Area in South Eastern Desert of Egypt have been carried out. The concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K were measured by low background spectroscopy using hyper-pure germanium (HPGe) detector. The mean activities due to 238U (226Ra), 232Th and 40K radionuclides were found to be 2384 ± 106, 1240 ± 6.6 and 819 ± 53 Bq/kg, respectively. The absorbed dose rates due to the natural radioactivity in the samples under investigation ranged from 745 ± 45 to 3836 ± 53 nGy/h which is higher than the permissible limit. The radium equivalent activity varied from 1647 ± 114 to 6172 ± 133 Bq/kg. Also, the representative external hazard index values were estimated. From X- ray study, it is found that all the samples contain considerable strategic elements concentrations such as Barium, Zinc and Niobium

Key Words: 238U, 232Th, 40K/ Norm/ South Eastern / Absorbed Dose Rates/ Radium Equivalent Activity/ External Hazard Index.