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 manmade radioactivity. Gamma-ray spectrometric measurements were performed where Bi-214 and Pb-214 were used for U-238-series determinations, while Tl-208 and Ac-228 were used for Th-232-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.