Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in the Western Coast of the Red Sea, Egypt

In our work we have investigated the radioactive metals 226Ra (238U) series, 232Th series, 40K and 137Cs radionuclides) were determined in the collected samples. The results of the radiation hazard indices for soil samples that have the values of 72.05±3.41, 40.01±1.76, 0.20±0.01 and 255.78±11.16 for radium equivalent activity (Raeq) in (Bq/Kg), absorbed dose rate in n Sv/h in air (D), external hazard index (Hex) and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) (μSv/y), respectively in winter. While that values for summer samples were 91.49±3.66, 49.14±1.88, 0.25±0.01 and 312.78±11.86, respectively. The results of the radiation hazard indices for shore sediment samples have the values of 50.74±2.04, 29.07±1.09, 0.14±0.01 and 186.51±6.91 for radium equivalent activity (Raeq) in (Bq/Kg), absorbed dose rate in n Sv/h in air (D), external hazard index (Hex) and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) (μSv/y), respectively in winter. While that values for summer samples were 58.06±2.80, 33.16±1.46, 0.16±0.01 and 212.75±9.23, respectively. The obtained results show that the transfer factor from soil to plant were in the order 40K > 226Ra> 232Th that is consistent with the solubility and mobility of these nuclides in soil