ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF URANIUM CONTENTS IN DRINKING WATEROF THE SIWA OASIS, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Basic Environmental Science Department, Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University

2 Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

Abstract

Within this work, the 238U activity concentration has been measured indrinking water samples collected from drinking waterresources in siwa oasis. Measurement of 238U activity concentrations in the examined samples was carried out by gamma-spectrometer with high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector.The purpose of thisstudy is to investigate the 238U activity in drinking water resources and to determine its health effectsto the habitants of the siwa oasis. The values of annual effective dose for different age group have been calculated. It was found that the activity of 238U ranges from 0.483 to 6.652 Bq/l. These values are belowthemaximum allowable level recommendedby WHO. The estimated annual effective dose received by population as a result of ingestion of these water exceed maximum allowable limit in 33.33, 42.85 and 52.38 % for infants, children and adults, respectively.
 

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