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Journal of Taibah University for Science xxx (2015) xxx–xxx

Radiological characterization of beach sediments along the

Alexandria–Rosetta coasts of Egypt

a,∗ b

A.A. Abdel-Halim , I.H. Saleh

a

Department of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Engineering and Technology, The Arab Academy for Sciences and Technology and

Maritime Transport, P.O. Box 1029, Alexandria, Egypt

b

Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, P.O. Box 832, EL-Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

In the present study, 52 sediment samples were collected from 14 sites along the area extending from west of Alexandria (El-MAX)

to the eastern side of the Rosetta promontory (the terminal of the Nile River with the Mediterranean Sea). The collected samples

226 228 40 137

were analyzed for radioactive contents. Ra, Ra, K and Cs were detected. The distribution of radionuclide activity and mass

concentrations of Th and U displayed a specific pattern that reflects the mineralogical formations and beach stability. Radiological

hazards were investigated by calculating the following radiological parameters: the radium equivalent, radiation hazard index and

annual effective dose. It was observed that the levels of radiological parameter are higher in eastern locations than in western ones.

In addition, the western side displayed radiological parameters higher than the recommended world-wide values.

© 2015 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Taibah University. This is an open access article under

the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Keywords: Effective radiation dose; Beach sands; Radiation hazard index; Radioactivity; Th and U

1. Introduction radiation [1]. Littoral areas of the environment receive

radioactive pollution, either natural or anthropogenic,

Human environment is naturally radioactive, and through rivers and rainfall [2]. Marine sediments are

human beings are exposed to radiation arising from nat- essential reservoirs for natural and artificial radionu-

ural sources, including cosmic and terrestrial origin, in clides due to their diverse composition. The uptake of

addition to artificial radioactivity from fallout in nuclear radionuclides by marine sediments depends on their

testing and medical applications. Natural sources physical and chemical properties [3]. The radionuclides

contribute approximately 80% of the environmental distribution in marine sediments provides essential

information concerning sediments movement and

∗ accumulation that provide a strong signal indicating

Corresponding author. Tel.: +20 1065601168; fax: +20 34285792.

sediment origin [3]. The concentration and distribution

E-mail addresses: [email protected] (A.A. Abdel-Halim), 226 232 40

of Ra, Th and K in sands are not uniform

[email protected] (I.H. Saleh).

Peer review under responsibility of Taibah University. throughout the world [4], and their distribution in soil is

based on the nature of its geological formation [5,6].

Mahdavi [7] studied the concentrations of thorium,

uranium and potassium in beach sands of the Atlantic and

Gulf coasts. He concluded that thorium and uranium in

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtusci.2015.02.016

1658-3655 © 2015 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Taibah University. This is an open access article under the

CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Please cite this article in press as: A.A. Abdel-Halim, I.H. Saleh. Radiological characterization of beach sediments along the

Alexandria–Rosetta coasts of Egypt, J. Taibah Univ. Sci. (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtusci.2015.02.016

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beach sand are contained mainly in resistant heavy min- Table 1

The ground positions and local names of the study sites.

erals such as monazite, zircon and xenotime. Moreover,

the highest concentrations found in beach sands were ID Site name Latitude Longitude

1–2 mg/kg for thorium and 0.3–0.6 mg/kg for uranium. ◦   ◦  

1 El-Max 31 09 17.17 29 50 32.11

◦   ◦  

He also found that beach sands have a thorium/uranium

2 Anfushi 31 12 19.69 29 52 38.32

◦   ◦  

ratio of approximately 2.5–3.0. The locations and areas 3 Manshia 31 12 03.82 29 53 40.06

◦   ◦  

of black sands that contain monazite minerals are of 4 Chatby 31 13 00.33 29 55 13.78

◦   ◦  

5 Sporting 31 13 58.56 29 56 40.45

interest for researchers. This is because monazite sand is ◦   ◦  

6 Gleem 31 14 51.44 29 57 33.26

considered an important geological material [8] because ◦   ◦  

7 Asafra 31 16 48.87 30 00 27.54

◦   ◦  

it may contain 0.1–0.3% uranium and 5–7% thorium,

8 Abu-Qir (W) 31 19 36.07 30 03 56.07

◦   ◦  

which are the main elements used in nuclear power plants 9 Abu-Qir (E) 31 18 06.48 30 04 41.43

◦   ◦  

[9]. Around the world, several authors have been study- 10 El-Tarh 31 16 41.01 30 06 58.07

◦   ◦  

11 El-Maadyia 31 16 54.91 30 12 37.60

ing radionuclide concentrations in sand beaches in the ◦   ◦  

12 Edku 31 23 33.08 30 20 07.10

Kerala and Tamil Nadu coastal regions of India [10], in ◦   ◦  

13 Rosetta (W) 31 27 29.04 30 21 40.00

◦   ◦  

Bangladesh [9] and in southwestern Australia [11]. Also

14 Rosetta (E) 31 28 19.02 30 22 10.50

in India, Kannan et al. [12] analyzed the distribution of

natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in beach sand

and soil from the Kalpakkam area by using gamma ray

spectrometry. site. This is characterized by high frequencies of pyrox-

In certain beaches of Egypt, Brazil and along the west enes, amphiboles and epidotes and by low percentages of

coast of India, there are areas that are well known for their tourmaline and zircon of 1.1% and 2.4%, respectively.

high background radiation. The Rosetta and Damietta The main source of heavy minerals is mostly the Nile

beaches on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt present sediments, which decrease westward [13]. Mineralog-

high radiation due to the presence of black sands that ically, the shelf of Alexandria is subdivided into three

contain zircon and monazite minerals. main provinces: (1) aragonite/calcite in the western part,

(2) calcite/aragonite/quartz in the middle part and (3)

2. Study area quartz/calcite/aragonite in the eastern part.

In the west, the major minerals are carbonates; on the

The study area extends along the Mediterranean coast other hand, on the eastern side, heavy minerals are domi-

of Alexandria–Rosetta in Egypt and covers 14 sampling nant. The distribution of heavy mineral assemblages has

sites for beach sands from west of Alexandria (El-Max been recognized as two mineral groups [14,15]. The first

site) to the east side of the Rosetta Nile promontory (the group includes heavy minerals of low density and coarse

terminal of the Nile River with the Mediterranean Sea). size (augite, hornblende and epidote). Heavy minerals in

The ground positions of the El-Max site (1) to the east this group increase from west to east along the area, as

◦  ◦ 

side of the Rosetta site (14) are (31 09 N, 29 50 E) to it is easy to entrain and transport the coastal sediments

◦  ◦ 

(31 27 N, 30 22 E), respectively, as illustrated on the toward the east by wave currents. In contrast, the second

map in Fig. 1. group includes heavy minerals of high-density (opaque,

The ground positions (latitudes and longitudes) and garnet, zircon, rutile, tourmaline and monazite). These

the local names of the studied sites are given in Table 1. minerals are difficult to entrain and transport by wave-

The beach sediments in the study area are char- current actions. Hence, minerals in this group form a

acterized by their variability in geological formations. lag deposit within the delta and sand beaches. Rosetta is

The bottom sediments of the inshore area are cov- highly affected by the black sand deposits that are trans-

ered predominantly by sand, which vary from fine ported to Rosetta beaches by the Nile River water current

in the west to coarse shelly in the east. This sandy during the time period before building the High dam in

zone merges seawards into a silty-sand belt. In the Upper Egypt.

northwest area, the silty-sand gradually changes into Black sands are characterized by heavy mineral

sand–silt–clay. The sand–silt is followed outward by contents, such as monazite, which contains, overall, two

232 238

a clayey-silt in the northeast. Minerals of light frac- orders of magnitude more of Th and U and an order

40

tion are represented by calcium carbonate, which is of magnitude less of K compared to light minerals.

introduced in the form of shells or shell fragments. The Radiometric analysis of various fractions of heavy min-

sediments at the El-Max area were poor in the amount eral sands showed that the monazite and zircon sands

of heavy minerals compared with those at the Abu Qir have highly radioactive contents (U and Th) compared

Please cite this article in press as: A.A. Abdel-Halim, I.H. Saleh. Radiological characterization of beach sediments along the

Alexandria–Rosetta coasts of Egypt, J. Taibah Univ. Sci. (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtusci.2015.02.016

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Fig. 1. The map of the study sites.

to other minerals in the heavy mineral suite [9,16]. An resolution of 1.7 keV at 1.33 MeV. The gamma spectrum

abundance of thorium, typically approximately 10 wt%, was recorded by using a PC-based 8192 channel anal-

and of U, approximately 0.5 wt%, are found in monazite yser and processed by using the Genie-2000 software.

crystals. Zircon typically contains 5–4000 ppm of U and The spectrometer was calibrated for energy by using a

137

2–2000 ppm of Th [9,17]. On the other hand, chlorite, set of certified gamma radiation standard sources ( Cs,

60 57 241

biotite, tourmaline, apatite, magnetite and quartz may Co, Co and Am). The absolute detection efficien-

contain uranium. cies were calibrated by using a certified standard source

152

( Eu) and soil reference materials prepared in geomet-

rical shape and composition to simulate the investigated

3. Materials and methods samples matrix [18]. The detector was shielded by using

a cylindrical lead castle of 0.1-m thickness with an

Fifty-two surface sand samples were collected from internal wall made of copper. For internal quality control

14 locations along the investigated area extending from requirements, reference soil samples (MAPEP-13/14,

west of Alexandria (El-MAX) to the eastern side of the Soil) were analyzed during the measurements to confirm

Rosetta promontory (the terminal of the Nile River with the calibrations. Externally, the laboratory participates

the Mediterranean Sea), as shown in Fig. 1. Each sam- periodically in the proficiency testing (PT) program

ple was collected by employing a template method of (MAPEP) for radiation measurements.

40

×

1 m 1 m up to a depth of 8 cm, pooling the whole The activity concentration of K was determined

sample tightly; an aliquot of an approximately 1.5 kg by using the 1460.8 keV gamma line. The lines 186.2,

226

sample was collected after mixing thoroughly. After col- 295.2, 351.9, 609.3 and 1120.3 keV were used for Ra

◦ 238

lection, each sample was dried in an oven at 105–110 C ( U decay series) activity determination. The lines

for approximately 24 h and sieved through a 2-mm 338.4, 911.0 and 583.1 keV were used to determine the

228 232

mesh-sized sieve to remove stones, pebbles and other activity of Ra ( Th decay series). The activity con-

173

macro-impurities. The homogenized sample was placed centration of Cs was determined at 661.7 keV [19].

in a PVC beaker. It was sealed hermetically and exter- The minimum detectable activity (MDA) was calcu-

nally by using cellophane tape and kept aside for lated for each radionuclide according to Eq. (1) [20].

approximately 28 days to ensure equilibrium between The levels of MDA were calculated based on the count-

226

Ra and its daughters before being used for gamma ing conditions used for measuring the studied samples

spectroscopic analysis. and listed in Table 2.

The prepared samples were measured by a gamma

ray spectrometer system in the radiation laboratory LD

MDA = (1)

at the Department of Environmental Studies, Institute T × Eff(E) × Pγ (E) × M

of Graduate Studies and Research (IGSR), Alexan-

dria University. The measuring system consists of a where T, Eff(E) and Pγ (E) are the counting time, full-

p-type coaxial HPGe with an efficiency of 24.5% and a energy peak efficiency at photon energy E and emission

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Alexandria–Rosetta coasts of Egypt, J. Taibah Univ. Sci. (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtusci.2015.02.016

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Table 2 showed that the highest level is 600-fold of the low-

The minimum detectable activity (MDA) for the detected radionuclides

est value. The very wide difference between the El-Max

at 10 h counting time.

site in the west and the Rosetta promontory sites in

Radionuclide Gamma energy (keV) MDA (Bq/kg) the east could be explained by the presence of black

sands deposits, which contain heavy minerals such as

Ac-228 911.0 0.02

Cs-137 661.7 0.02 monazite. These sands contain, overall, two orders of

232 238

K-40 1460.8 0.20 magnitude more of Th and U decay series radionu-

Pb-214 351.9 0.06 226 228

clides [9,16]. The levels of Ra and Ra at site

Bi-214 609.3 0.06

number 9 (eastern side of the Abu-Qir beach) are 77.09

Ra-226 186.2 0.20

and 40.82 Bq/kg, respectively. These values are higher

than those detected at the other studied sites, except for

those at Rosetta promontory sites 13 and 14. The reason

probability, respectively. Finally, LD is the detection

for this may be due to the nature of the Abu-Qir Gulf,

limit, calculated by using the following equation,

which receives black sands that are carried by beach lit-

=

LD LC + KσD (2) toral water currents coming from the Rosetta promontory

and that circulate in the Abu-Qir Gulf. The variability

where LC is the critical level, below which no signal can

in U and Th observed at the western side of Rosetta and

be detected, σD is the standard deviation and K is the

along the Alexandria study sites can be mainly explained

error probability.

by the heavy and light mineral contents. Such variability

is a consequence of the redistribution of the sand due

4. Results and discussion to coastal processes, such as erosion and accretion, that

take place in the study area or at any place in the world

The distributions of measured levels in beach sands with the same situation.

232 238

along the study sites are discussed. Thorium and uranium For more explanation, Th and U concentrations

mass concentrations are calculated, and their geological in ppm were calculated for all sites according to the

origin in the area are discussed. following formulae:

AU ATh

= =

4.1. Distribution of radionuclides level in beach C and C (3) U 12.45 Th 4.08 sands

238

where CU and CTh are the concentrations in ppm of U

226 232

The values of radioactivity were calculated for Ra, and Th, respectively. AU and ATh are the radioactivity

228 40 137 226 228

Ra, K and Cs in all measured samples in units concentrations in Bq/kg of Ra and Ra, respectively,

238

of Bq/kg (dry weight); then, the average radioactivity and 12.45 and 4.08 are the specific activities of U and

232 238 232

of each radionuclide was calculated for each site. Addi- Th in Bq per mg of pure U and Th, respectively.

226 232 238

tionally, the distribution of radioactivity levels for Ra, The obtained ppm concentrations for Th and U

228 40 137

Ra, K and Cs are given. The mass concentra- are shown in Fig. 5 for all investigated sites. It is clear

238 232 238

tions of Th and U were calculated from U (assuming that the Th concentration exceeds the U concen-

238 226

secular equilibrium between U and Ra, as well trations by 2-fold at site 13 and site 14, located west

232

as their progenies) and from Th (assuming secular and east, respectively, of the Rosetta promontory. On the

232 228

equilibrium between Th and Ra). other hand, it exceeds only by 1-fold at site 8 (Asafra) and

The log-linear distributions of radioactivity levels site 9 (Abu-Qir Gulf). According to Deer et al. [17], the

over the investigated sites are shown in Figs. 2–4 for abundance of thorium is typically approximately 10 wt%

226 228 40 226

Ra, Ra and K, respectively. Ra results indi- and that of U is approximately 0.5 wt% in monazite

cated a range of (12.6–499.184) Bq/kg. The lowest level crystals. On the other hand, zircon typically contains

was observed at station number 1 (El-Max), and the high- 5–4000 ppm of U and 2–2000 ppm of Th. Therefore, the

est was found at station number 13 (west of the Rosetta major contributors for enhancing the levels of radiation

226

promontory). It is clear that the highest level of Ra is are monazite and, to a lesser extent, zircon, compared to

40-fold of the lowest level. other minerals [16].

228 137

Similarly, Ra radioactivity levels showed a range The Cs levels distribution along the studied

of (0.65–386.2) Bq/kg. The lowest value was recorded stations is shown in Fig. 6. The levels ranged from

at site 1 (El-Max) and the highest levels were at site 13 <0.1 Bq/kg to 3.22 Bq/kg, with an average of 0.96 Bq/kg.

228

(west of the Rosetta promontory). The range of Ra The lowest were detected at station 2 (Anfushi) and

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1000

100

10 Ra Acvity (Bq/kg) 6

22 1 12345 6 7 8 9 1011121314 Staons

226

Fig. 2. The distribution of Ra levels along the study sites.

1000

100 Bq/kg) 10

1 Ra Acvity 8

22 0.1

123 4567 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Staons

228

Fig. 3. The distribution of Ra levels along the study sites.

1000

100

10 acvity (Bq/kg) K 40

1

1 2 3 4 5 678 9 10 11 12 13 14 Staons

40

Fig. 4. The distribution of K levels along the study sites.

238 232

Fig. 5. The distribution of U and Th concentrations, in ppm levels, along the study sites.

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10

1 Acvity (Bq/kg) Cs 7 13

0.1

123456789 10 11 12 13 14 Staons

137

Fig. 6. The distribution of Cs levels along the study sites.

228 232 40

station 8 (west of Abu-Qir). The highest was found Ra ( Th) or 4810 Bq/kg of K produces the same

at station 10 (El-Tarh). The reason for this is that the gamma dose rate.

El-Tarh site is closest to the agricultural drainage in It was observed that the Raeq activity ranged from

that area. It is well known that such drainage water 19.28 Bq/kg to 1029.65 Bq/kg, with an average of

contains residues of biogenic organic matters, which 183.86 Bq/kg. Fig. 7 shows the distribution of levels for

137

have the ability to retain Cs nuclides. The frequent the sites. The lowest and highest Raeq levels were found

137

strong retention of Cs at the surface of different soils at station 1 (El-Max) and station number 13 (west of the

is due to the presence of clay minerals and organic Rosetta promontory), respectively. It is clear that the lev-

matter [21–24]. Organic matter content was suggested els at station 13 and station 14 exceed 370 Bq/kg, which

to affect the retention and migration of the fallout is the acceptable limit for safe use [1] (UNSCEAR,

radionuclides in the environment by modifying the 1988). In addition, station 9, at the eastern side of the

adsorption properties of clay minerals in the soil [25,26]. Abu-Qir Gulf, recorded 144.97 Bq/kg, which indicates

that Abu-Qir(E) is highly affected by the black sand that

238 232

4.2. Radiological assessment of U, Th and is transported by the littoral beach current coming from

40

K the Rosetta promontory area.

Radiological assessment was performed for the

4.2.2. Radiation hazard index

detected radionuclides using the radium equivalent

The value of the radiation hazard index I␥ must be less

(Raeq), gamma radiation hazard index (I␥), external

than unity to keep the radiation hazard insignificant. The

absorbed dose rate at 1 m above the ground level (D)

maximum value of I␥, i.e., equal to unity, corresponds to

and the corresponding annual effective radiation dose

(ADE). the upper limit of radium equivalent activity (370 Bq/kg).

The levels of I␥ were calculated according to Eq. (5) [1].

4.2.1. Raeq C C C

226 228 40 Ra + Th + K ␥ =

Because the diversity levels of Ra, Ra and K I (5)

370 259 4810

in the studied sites are not uniform, it will therefore be

suitable to use Raeq (Bq/kg) as a parameter for comparing where CRa, CTh and CK have the same meaning as in Eq.

the activity of sand samples containing different amounts (4).

of these radionuclides. The (Raeq) values were calculated The obtained results showed that the levels ranged

according to Eq. (4) [27,28]: from 0.13 to 7.04, with an average of 1.27, over the stud-

ied area. The levels of I␥ at sites 13 and 14, located west

Raeq = CRa + 1.43 CTh + 0.077 CK (4)

and east of the Rosetta promontory, were 7.04 and 6.5,

␥

where CRa, CTh and CK are the activity concentrations of respectively, as shown in Fig. 8. It is clear that the I lev-

226 228 40

Ra, Ra and K in Bq/kg, respectively. It has been els recorded at Rosetta sites 13 and 14 are approximately

226 238

assumed that 370 Bq/kg of Ra ( U), 259 Bq/kg of 7-fold and 6-fold of the guidance level, respectively.

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1200

900

600 (Bq/kg) eq Ra 300

0

123456 789 10 11 12 13 14

Staons

Fig. 7. The Raeq levels along the study sites.

Moreover, the level at site 9 (Abu-Qir bay) matched the (AED) in mSv/y were calculated by using Eq. (7).

␥

I guidance value.      

mSv nGy h

AED = D × 24 × 365

238 232 40 y h y

4.2.3. Radiation doses from U, Th and K  

Sv

The external gamma absorbed dose rate in air at 1 m × −6

. ×

0 2 0.7 × 10 (7)

above ground level was calculated according to Eq. (6) Gy

[1].

The mean of the absorbed gamma dose rate due to the

238 232 40

activity of U, Th and K in beach sands was

D = 0.462 CRa + 0.604 CTh + 0.042 CK (6)

found to be 82.49 nGy/h (ranging from 8.36 nGy/h to

where D is the dose rate in nGy/h, and CRa, CTh and CK 459.1 nGy/h). It is clear that the mean value in the

have the same meaning as in Eq. (4). present study is higher than the world average value

For assessing the health effects of absorbed doses of of 55 nGy/h [29]. Additionally, the level recorded at

gamma radiation, the annual effective dose should be site 9 (Abu-Qir east) was 65.25 nGy/h, and the two

obtained. For the conversion from the absorbed dose to stations 13 and 14, located at the Rosetta promontory,

the effective dose, the conversion coefficient (0.7 Sv/Gy) recorded 459.1 nGy/h and 423.19 nGy/h, respectively.

was used and the outdoor occupancy factor (0.2) was On the other hand, the levels at the remaining stations

taken [1] (UNSCEAR, 1988). The annual effective doses were below the world average. The estimated values

Fig. 8. The levels of I␥ along the study area.

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of the annual effective dose ranged from 0.01 mSv to average of 82.49 nGy/hr, which exceeds the world

0.56 mSv (average 0.1 mSv), which is lower than the average (55 nGy/h).

40 137

world average of 0.480 mSv [29]. (5) U-series, Th-series, K and Cs radionuclides

contributed 51.06%, 43.43%, 5.57% and 0.034%,

137 respectively, to the annual average of external dose.

4.3. Cs absorbed and effective doses

The absorbed dose rates were calculated for

137

detected radioactivity levels of Cs by using the References

dose rate per activity concentration in sands of

−1 −1 −1

0.03 nGyh Bq kg [30]. The absorbed dose rates [1] United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic

Radiation, Report to the General Assembly, UNSCEAR, United

for all sites showed an average of 0.028 nGy/h, with the

Nations, New York, 1988.

levels ranging from <0.003 nGy/h to 0.1 nGy/h. 137

[2] R.A. Ligero, M. Barrear, M. Casas-Ruiz, Levels of Cs in

muddy sediments of the seabed of the Bay of Cadiz, Spain. Part I.

Vertical and spatial distribution of activities, J. Environ. Radioact.

4.4. Conclusions

80 (1) (2005) 75–86.

137 90

[3] N.B. Baggoura, Plutonium isotopes, Cs, Sr and natural

After studying the distributions of radioactivity levels

radioactivity in marine sediments from Ghazaouet (Algeria), J.

and ratios of thorium to uranium and evaluating the radi- Environ. Radioact. 34 (2) (1997) 127–138.

ation doses of radionuclides that exist in beach sands in [4] A.M. El-Arabi, Natural radioactivity in sand used in thermal

therapy at the Red Sea Coast, J. Environ. Radioact. 81 (2005)

the area extending from west of Alexandria to the east-

11–19.

ern side of the Nile Rosetta promontory, the following

[5] J. Al-Jundia, B.A. Al-Bataina, Y. Abu-Rukah, H.M. Shehadeh,

conclusions can be drawn:

Natural radioactivity concentrations in soil samples along the

Amman Aqaba highway, (Jordan), J. Radiat. Meas. 36 (2003)

226 228 555–560.

(1) The highest radioactivity levels of Ra and Ra

[6] H. Orabi, A. Al-Shareaif, M. El Galefi, Gamma-ray measurements

appeared in sands at the sites west of the Rosetta

of naturally occurring radioactive sample from Alkharje City, J.

Nile promontory and were 499.184 Bq/kg and Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 269 (2006) 99–102.

386.2 Bq/kg, respectively. [7] A. Mahdavi, The thorium, uranium and potassium contents of

226 Atlantic and Gulf Coast beach sands, in: J.A.S. Adames, W.M.

(a) High levels of Ra were found, in descending

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