Natural radionuclides and plutonium isotopes in soil and shore sediments on Alexandria Mediterranean sea coast of Egypt

Abstract

The specific activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil and shore sediments from the Mediterranean Sea Coast of Alexandria have been determined using direct gamma spectrometry with a HP-Ge detector and absorbed dose rates in air were calculated. The specific activity of 238U was determined by laser fluorimetry after applying a radiochemical separation. The specific activities of 238U, 235U, 234U, 238Pu and 239+240Pu were determined using an alpha spectrometer based on surface barrier detectors after applying sensitive radiochemical procedures. The specific activities of 238U obtained by the three techniques were compared. The isotopic ratios 234U/238U and 238Pu/239+240Pu were calculated for evaluation of the geochemical behavior of the nuclides. Plutonium concentrations were compared with some reported values in other different marine ecosystems.