Environmental Radioactivity Measurements of Egyptian Soils

Soil and vegetation samples from 33 sites within the northwestern area of the River Nile delta in Egypt have been analyzed for natural and man-made radioactivity. Gamma-ray spectrometric measurements were performed where 214Bi and 214Pb were used for 238U-series determinations, while 208Tl and 228Ac were used for 232Th-series determinations. In addition, alpha-spectrometric measurements were also performed for the determination of different isotopes of uranium and plutonium. Other parameters examined included the determination of radium equivalent activities and relationship between the gamma-radiation values and subsequent dose level determinations and the soil types.