Evaluation of the environmental and structural impacts on urban expansion using airborne geophysical data at Hurghada city, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt.

Airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetic data were processed and interpreted aiming to evaluate the environmental and structural impacts on urban expansion, Hurghada City, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt. The eastern (coastal area), northern, and southeastern parts of the study area possess the lowest level of absorbed dose rate (ADR) and annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), which were estimated from the airborne gamma-ray spectral data of this area. Consequently, these parts are considered as suitable sites for urban expansion from the radioactivity point of view. The relatively high level of ADR and AEDE is associated with granitic rocks, some parts of Gabir formation and recent Wadi sediments, situated at southwestern, central, and eastern parts of the study area. The ADR and AEDE of these parts are considered harmful to individuals. Airborne magnetic data were also used to detect major structures that may affect various construction projects in the study area in the future. The NNW-SSE, NW-SE, N-S, and NE-SW trends represent the common structures in the study area. The obtained results of airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetic data illustrated that the urban expansion should not be constructed to the west of the ring road. However, site investigations must be carried out on this part of the study area before starting any construction projects there. The present study proved the important role of airborne gamma-ray spectrometric and magnetic surveys as useful tools to delineate the environmental and structural impacts on urban expansion.

Gamma ray spectrometric analysis and assessment of radiation hazards in soils of Mbeere North region, Kenya.

This study used gamma ray spectrometry to determine the radiological safety of construction soil sampled randomly from Mbeere North region, Kenya. The mean activity concentration of 232Th, 238U, and 40K was 149.7 ± 2.8 Bqkg-1, 88.3 ± 2.4 Bqkg-1, and 490 ± 35 Bqkg-1, respectively. These averages exceed the world average for all the radionuclides. The radionuclides were non-uniformly distributed, with higher concentrations along the slopes and on the feet of the hills. The mean absorbed dose rate, indoor and outdoor annual effective dose, radium equivalent, external hazard index, and internal hazard index were 157.9 ± 4.4 nGh-1, 0.58 ± 0.02 mSvy-1, 0.39 ± 0.01 mSvy-1, 340.7 ± 9.2 Bqkg-1, 0.92 ± 0.02 and 1.14 ± 0.03, respectively. Among the radiation safety indicators, only the average internal hazard index exceeded slightly the acceptable safe limit. Therefore, soils of Mbeere North region are radiologically safe for use in brick making and construction of human habitats.

A pioneering study of the radiological mapping in the world's largest mangrove forest (the Sundarbans) and implications for the public and environment.

Coastal Mangroves are facing growing threats due to the harmful consequences of human activities. This first-ever detailed study of natural radioactivity in soil samples collected from seven tourist destinations within the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, was conducted using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. Although the activity levels of 226Ra (11 ± 1-44 ± 4 Bq/kg) and 232Th (13 ± 1-68 ± 6 Bq/kg) generally align with global averages, the concentration of 40K (250 ± 20-630 ± 55 Bq/kg) was observed to surpass the worldwide average primarily due to factors like salinity intrusion, fertilizer application, agricultural runoff, which suggests the potential existence of potassium-rich mineral resources near the study sites. The assessment of the hazard parameters indicates that the majority of these parameters are within the recommended limits. The soil samples do not pose a significant radiological risk to the nearby population. The results of this study can establish important radiological baseline data before the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant begins operating in Bangladesh.

Natural Radioactivity in Raw Building Materials for Underground Parking Lots and Assessment of Radiological Health Risk for the Population.

This article reports the results of an investigation into the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in raw building materials for underground parking lots, together with the assessment of the radiation hazard for the public related to exposure to ionizing radiations. To this purpose, high-purity germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectrometry was employed in order to quantify the average specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K natural radioisotopes. With the aim to assess any possible radiological health risk for the population, the absorbed γ-dose rate (D), the annual effective dose equivalent outdoor (AEDEout) and indoor (AEDEin), the activity concentration index (I), and the alpha index (Iα) were also estimated, resulting in values that were lower than the maximum recommended ones for humans. Finally, the extent of the correlations existing between the observed radioactivity and radiological parameters and of these parameters with the analyzed samples was quantified through statistical analyses, including Pearson's correlation, a principal component analysis (PCA), and a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). As a result, three clusters of the investigated samples were recognized based on their chemical composition and mineralogical nature. Noteworthily, this paper covers a certain gap in science since its topic does not appear in literature in this form. Thus, the authors underline the importance of this work to global knowledge in the environmental research and public health fields.

Gamma-spectrometry measurements of filtration media from an Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor.

Filtration media used to quantify particulate and gaseous releases have been collected from Hartlepool Power Station in the United Kingdom and measured using high-sensitivity gamma-spectrometry systems. Radionuclides that are relevant to the monitoring regime of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) have been detected. Results are reported and compared to detections recorded on the International Monitoring System (IMS). Time series activity plots have been produced and results interpreted with respect to known plant activities. The reported results improve the understanding of trace-level radionuclide emissions from Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) and aid interpretation of IMS measurements. This work is being performed as part of the Xenon Environmental Nuclide Analysis at Hartlepool (XENAH) collaboration between the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE, UK), EDF Energy (UK), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL, US) and the Swedish Defence Agency (FOI, Sweden).

High-rate Gamma Spectrometry Using a LaBr3(Ce) Scintillator with a Fast Pulse Shaping.

ABSTRACT: The performance of a LaBr3(Ce) gamma spectrometer at high count rates was investigated up to an input count rate of 1.3 Mcps. In order to make its pulse processing faster, a preamplifier provided by the detector manufacturer was eliminated, and the signal from the photomultiplier tube was fed directly to a digital pulse processing system. To accomplish both fast pulse processing and good energy resolution, the pulse-shaping parameters were optimized at a low count rate of 1.5 kcps, and then measurements were carried out at various count rates. Input count rates ranging from 1.5 kcps to 21 kcps were produced using a set of 137Cs resin sources, while higher rates between 45 kcps and 1.3 Mcps were produced using a 1.2-GBq 137Cs source. The spectrometer showed an excellent performance for the input rate up to 150 kcps, while the dead time increased rapidly for the input rates above 150 kcps. The system dead time has been improved greatly by eliminating the preamplifier.

Assessment of radiological hazards from radioactivity natural of cement used in Dwellings in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazil is the fourth largest cement consumer in the world and the largest producer in Latin America, around 1.3% of global production. The main inputs in the manufacture of cement are limestone and clay. Few studies have been carried out in the country on the risk of these materials used in civil construction. Therefore, the objective of this present work is to evaluate the radiological danger that they can present to society. Gamma spectrometry analysis on 16 samples of different brands of cement used as construction material in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) was performed in this study, using an HPGe detector and the Genie 2000 data acquisition software. Samples were set to count for an accumulation time of 14,400 s (4 h) and all measurements were corrected to eliminate background and backscattering. Activity concentrations are determined for 226Ra was from (41.2 ± 1.6 to 174.9 ± 3.9) Bq kg-1, 232Th was from (15.7 ± 0.5 to 43.1 ± 0.7) Bq kg-1 and 40K was from (82.6 ± 7.2 to 254 ± 17) Bq kg-1. To assess radiological health risks: mean values of Radium Activity Equivalent 150.0 ± 3.4 Bq kg-1, Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent 468 ± 11 µSv year-1 and Lifetime Excess Cancer Risk (ELCR) 2.42 ± 0.06 were calculated. Total Absorbed Dose Rates ranged from 72.2 ± 1.7 to 225.1 ± 5.2 nGy h-1. The damage to collective health was also estimated from the annual effective dose rates with an estimated total cost of damage to health of US$ 130 million. Values are generally within global limits reported by UNSCEAR.

Assessment of radioactivity level and associated radiological hazard in riverbed samples within industrial areas.

Terrestrial gamma radiation is one of the major outdoor radiation exposures to the general public that varies substantially based on the type and geological properties of the soil. The objective of this study is to evaluate the naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) distribution and assess the hazard parameters in the riverbank soil within various industrial zones in the densely populated Dhaka and Chattogram cities of Bangladesh. The mean activities of 226Ra (37 ± 3), 232Th (58 ± 4), and 40K (1129 ± 18) Bqkg-1 in the assessed soil samples were found to be slightly higher than the world average values 32, 35, and 420 Bqkg-1, respectively. The mean radium equivalent activity (207.49 Bqkg-1) and the external and internal hazard indices were within the recommended limits of 370 Bqkg-1 and <1, respectively. The mean absorbed dose rate (99.47 nGyhr-1), annual effective dose (0.12 mSva-1), ELCR (4.27 × 10-4), and gamma level index (1.58) exceeded the world average values 59 nGyhr-1, 0.07 mSva-1, 2.9 × 10-4, and 1 respectively. However, the studied areas are safe from a radiological viewpoint with no radiation health hazard to the people. The results of this study can be utilized to produce factual baseline data for future studies.

Upscaling ground-based backpack gamma-ray spectrometry to spatial resolution of UAV-based gamma-ray spectrometry for system validation.

Advances in the development of gamma-ray spectrometers have resulted in devices that are ideal for use in conjunction with the increasingly reliable systems of autonomously flying uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have recently become available on the market. Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS) measurements have many different applications. Here, the technique is applied to a former uranium mining and processing site, which is characterized by relatively low specific activities and, hence, low count rates, requiring relatively large detectors and correspondingly big size UAVs. The future acceptance of the use of such UAV-based GRS systems for radionuclide mapping depends on their ability to measure absolute specific activities of natural radionuclides such as U-238 in near-surface soil that are consistent with the results of established and proven ground-based systems. To determine absolute specific activities on the ground, the gamma radiation data from airborne detectors must be corrected for attenuation caused by the flight altitude above ground. In recent years, mathematical procedures for altitude correction have been developed, that are specifically tailored to the working range of several tens of meters typical for UAVs. However, very limited experimental validation of these theoretical approaches is available. A very large dataset consisting of about 3000 UAV-based and 19,000 backpack-based measurements was collected at a low-grade uranium ore dump in Yangiabad, Uzbekistan. We applied different geostatistical interpolation methods to compare the data from both survey techniques by upscaling backpack data to airborne data. Compared to backpack systems, UAV-based systems have lower spatial resolution, so measurements average over larger areal units (or in geostatistical terminology: "spatial support"). Taking into account the change in spatial support, we illustrate that (1) the UAV-based measurements show good agreement with the upscaled backpack measurements and that (2) UAV surveys provide good delineation of contrasts of the relatively smooth U-238 specific activity distribution typical for former uranium mining and processing sites. We are able to show that the resolution of UAV-based systems is sufficient to map extended uranium waste facilities.

Assessment of radioactivity concentration for building materials used in Babadogo Estate, Nairobi City County, Kenya.

Natural radioactive materials in certain conditions can get to hazardous radiological level. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the natural activity concentration from sampled building materials collected from different locations in Babadogo Estate within Nairobi City County. The analysis done using gamma ray spectrometer, which was put into action for spectral data acquisition and then analysis. The activity concentration levels of 238U, 232Th and 40K for the selected samples of building materials was measured by the use of gamma ray spectrometry method. The analyzed data compared with the standard acceptable values. The activity concentration in 40K varied from 55 ± 3 to 2647 ± 132 Bq kg-1, giving an average (sum of all values divided by 33) value of 831 ± 42 Bq kg-1; 238U varied from 39 ± 2 to 3602 ± 180 Bq kg-1, giving average figures of 378 ± 19 Bq kg-1 and 232Th ranged from 5.000 ± 0.300 to 4213 ± 211 Bq kg-1, giving average figure of 290 ± 15 Bq kg-1. The calculated average figures for activity concentration surpassed the world average values of 420, 33 and 45 Bq kg-1 in 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively.

Transfer factors for natural radioactivity into olive mill pomace.

The transfer factor (TF) of naturally occurring radioactivity between soil and olive mill pomace (OMP) was calculated in this study. Nine samples were collected from three locations in north Jordan. The study focused on calculating the 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs activity concentrations in both soil and OMP samples using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. The average activity levels in the soil samples were determined to be 24.0±10.1, 31.3±9.1, 323.7±68.4, and 1.0±0.4 (Bqkg-1), respectively. In the OMP samples, the average activity levels of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were 6.7±1.8, 3.2±1.2, and 185.5±56.6 (Bqkg-1), respectively, while no trace of 137Cs was detected. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the soils and OMP samples are within the average worldwide ranges. The calculated values of the TF geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were determined to be 0.35 (0.2), 0.11 (0.05), and 0.59 (0.19), respectively. This research offers valuable information about the behavior and movement of radionuclides in the environment.

Radionuclide measurements of the international monitoring system.

The International Monitoring System (IMS) is a unique global network of sensors, tuned to measure various phenomenology, with the common goal of detecting a nuclear explosion anywhere in the world. One component of this network collects measurements of radioactive particulates and gases (collectively known as radionuclides) present in the atmosphere; through this, compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) can be verified. The radionuclide sub-network consists of 120 sensors across 80 locations, supported by 16 measurement laboratories. All radionuclide stations make use of a form of γ-ray spectroscopy to measure radionuclides from samples; this remains largely unchanged since the network was first established 25 years ago. Advances in sampling and spectroscopy systems can yield improvements to the sensitivity of the network to detect a nuclear explosion. This paper summarises the status of the IMS radionuclide network, the current suite of technology used and reviews new technology that could enhance future iterations, potentially improving the verification power of the IMS.

Measurements of natural radionuclide levels and hazards in the Lega Dembi gold mine, Oromia, Ethiopia.

This study aimed to evaluate natural radioactivity levels and hazards of radionuclides 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in soil samples taken from 15 locations in the Lega Dembi gold mining, Oromia, Ethiopia, using gamma-ray spectroscopy coupled with an HPGe detector. It was observed that the respective mean specific activities for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K determined in the mining site were 23.87 ± 0.7, 52.5 ± 1.8 and 391.62 ± 11.35 Bq/kg, and 8.89 ± 0.4, 13.83 ± 0.6 and 423.68 ± 9.5 Bq/kg in the living areas. The specific activity of 232Th was above the permissive limit in the mining site, while for 226Ra and 40K were within the limit. The specific activity of 40K in the living area was observed to be above the permissive limit. The calculated value of radiation hazards parameters; radium equivalent activity (Raeq), internal and external hazards indices (Hin) and (Hex), the mean annual effective dose (AED), and gamma representative indices (Iγ) were within permissively limit. The mean absorbed dose rate in the mining site was above the recommended safety limit. The total annual gonadal dose equivalent value was found to be 494.8 ± 8.7 µSv/a in the mining site. This value was also above the permissively.

Evaluation of soil radioactivity in the areas of underground nuclear explosions at the Pomuk gas field site in Uzbekistan.

This study investigates soil radioactivity at the Pomuk gas field in Uzbekistan, a region with history of underground nuclear activity. Using a NaI (Tl) scintillation gamma spectrometer, soil samples were analyzed for concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, 40K, and 137Cs. Concentrations were found to be in the range of 19.0-31.0 Bq/kg for 232Th, 12.0-32.0 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 450.0-634.0 Bq/kg for 40K, and 2.4-11.0 Bq/kg for 137Cs. Surface radon flux density was measured using a coal sorbent-based passive method, with values ranging from 26.1 to 79.0 mBq/m2s. Mean activity values for radium equivalent (Raeq) and gamma representative level index (Iγ) were calculated to be 75.2-96.5 Bq/kg and 0.3-0.4 Bq/kg, respectively. The absorbed airborne gamma dose rates (GDR) varied between 41.0 and 52.0 nGy/h, while annual effective dose rates (AEDR) were 0.3-0.4 µSv/year. The radiological risk assessment indicates the area is within safe limits for the population and environment, providing a foundation for future radiological monitoring programs.

Assessment of natural radioactivity in Moroccan bottled drinking waters using gamma spectrometry.

Radioactive elements and their impact on the environment and the food chain, including humans, are a matter of major concern, for which appropriate investigations should be performed. The priority is to examine the concentration of radioactive substances in mineral and bottled spring water. This task aims to analyze the quality of 12 conditioned mineral waters by determining their main radionuclides concentrations, such as 238U, 232Th, and 40K. The identification and the quantification of these radionuclides are carried out by their progeny (except the 40K) by using a NaI(Tl) detector coupled with a multichannel analyzer (MCA) and connected to a computer. The activity measured in all samples varied from 0.95 to 3.38 mBq.L-1 with an average of 1.94 mBq.L-1; from 1.55 to 3.56 mBq.L-1 with an average of 2.46 mBq.L-1; and from 200.68 to 269.19 mBq.L-1 with an average of 236.6 mBq.L-1, for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. To compare the combined radiological effects of radionuclides present in water, a particular factor Ra(eq) is used. This study showed that the maximum value of Ra(eq) is 27.54 mBq.L-1, which is far below the activity limit of 370 mBq.year-1 set by the Organization of Economics and Development (OECD). Concerning the effective annual dose, the following maximums were measured: 1.61 µSv.year-1, 1.133 µSv.year-1, and 0.925 µSv.year-1 for infants, children, and adults, respectively. These values are even smaller than the dose recommended by the WHO which is 100 µSv.year-1. Regarding the excess lifetime cancer risk index, a maximum of 5.63 × 10-6 is found. This index value is still less than that proposed by James, namely 2.5 × 10-3. Thus, the quality of the studied samples respects the radiological international safety and health limits.

Activity concentration and distribution of 40K in the soil profile of the Rostov agglomeration.

The activity concentration of 40K in soils of Rostov agglomeration was studied. Natural and anthropogenically modified soils of Rostov agglomeration were studied: Haplic Chernozems, Haplic Chernozems (Technic), Urbic Technosols. Activity concentration 40K in soils was measured by gamma-spectrometric method of radionuclide analysis. The total mass fraction of K2O was determined by X-ray fluorescence method on a Spectroscan MAKS-GV instrument. Knowing the total mass fraction of K2O, we calculated its potential radioactivity based on the fact that one gram of natural potassium has an activity concentration of 28.5 Bq. Comparison of the two methods allows estimating the involvement of 40K in biogenic cycles. No significant differences between the actual and calculated activity concentration of 40K in the soil-forming rock were revealed, while in horizons A and B the calculated activity is significantly higher. At the same time, there are no reliable differences between native and their buried analogs. The direct influence of the granulometric composition on the activity concentration of 40K was not established, but in the urban horizons with lightened granulometric composition the average activity of 40K is the lowest by reliably significant values when comparing this index with native, buried horizons and the group of heavy urban horizons. This implies that 40K is more actively involved in biogenic cycles than its stable isotopes. The burial under urban deposits is accompanied by a weak change in the activity concentration of 40K in the profile, while the difference between genetic horizons is leveled out.

Dolphin-shaped island: Exploring the natural resources and radiological hazards of Wadi El Gemal Island.

The objective of this study is to assess the natural resources and radiological risks of Wadi El Gemal Island by examining its topography, mineralogy, geochemistry, and radioactive distributions. This island, which is situated at the outlet of Wadi El Gemal in Egypt's southeastern Desert, has a unique shape resembling a dolphin based on Landsat imagery. It's a part of the Wadi El Gemal-Hamata Protectorate and is notable for its diverse environmental, geological, economic, and archeological features, including recent reefs, sandy deposits, Quaternary carbonate sediments, and mangroves. The main natural resources on the island are fauna, mangrove forests, and flora. Samples collected from the island were analyzed using a NaI detector to measure the concentrations of radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K, which were found to be within acceptable levels according to UNSCAR guidelines. The radionuclide 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K activity concentrations of the collected samples were 32.55 ± 9, 12.63 ± 4, 12.49 ± 4, and 325 ± 34 Bq/kg, respectively. Regarding radiological hazard indices, the values of absorbed gamma dose rate (36.06 ± 5.42 nGy/h), radium equivalent activity (73.88 ± 14.4 Bq/kg), annual effective dose indoor (0.18 ± 0.03 mSv/y) and outdoor (0.04 ± 0.01 mSv/y), internal (0.29 ± 0.05) and external (0.2 ± 0.03) indices, and excess lifetime cancer index (0.15 ± 0.05 × 10-3).This is suggest that there is no significant risk associated with these sediments.

226Ra measurement via gamma-ray spectrometry of 222Rn progeny - quantification of radon losses from sample capsules.

Radium-226 detection in sediment samples is generally executed by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. Data evaluation relies (besides the 186.2 keV 226Ra gamma peak) on the combined analysis of major gamma peaks that are produced by the short-lived radon (222Rn) daughters 214Pb and 214Bi. Precondition for this detection approach is equilibrium decay of all members of the decay chain between 226Ra and 214Bi. In closed systems, this equilibrium is reached after about five half-lives of 222Rn (19 days). However, a closed system can only be guaranteed if the capsule which contains the sample prevents diffusive escape of radon. Such radon-tightness cannot be guaranteed for a wide range of plastic materials. Due to its polymer structure, plastic material generally tends to allow radon diffusion and hence radon loss from the sample resulting in a disturbance of the required decay equilibrium. The paper introduces an approach that allows quantifying radon loss from sample capsules by direct radon measurements using mobile radon detection equipment. The experimental findings are supported by theoretical considerations. An examined alternative approach based on the offset of the 186.2 keV data point from an efficiency function that is calculated exclusively from short-lived radon progeny peaks in the gamma-ray spectrum did not prove to be applicable due to a lack of supporting peaks in the low-energy section of the spectrum.

Evaluation of radioactivity levels and radiological hazards of some endemic plants used as medicine in Ankara, Turkey.

In this study, natural radioactivity levels (226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K) of some medicinal plant samples with known anti-oxidative properties, which are frequently consumed by animals and humans, were obtained from Ankara province and its surroundings (Mamak, Kizilcahamam, Beypazari, Kahramankazan, and Polatli districts) were determined using a thallium-doped sodium iodide NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry. By using the determined natural radioactivity concentrations in the collected plant samples, the number of radiological doses that people could be exposed by consuming these plants was calculated. As a result of the study, 226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K radioactivity concentration ranges of the plant samples were found be 14.69 ± 1.27-59.08 ± 3.12 Bq kg-1, 1.78 ± 0.04-50.05 ± 2.76 Bq kg-1 and 207.24 ± 34.09-826.13 ± 25.40 Bq kg-1, respectively. The highest 226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K activity concentrations were measured in Astragalus densifolius subsp. ayashensis (Kahramankazan), Astragalus kochakii (Kahramankazan) and Rumex patientia (Patience Dock) (Kahramankazan) plants, respectively. The lowest 226Ra, 232Th and,4 K activity concentration plants were determined respectively as Rumex patientia (Mamak), Lavandula angustifolia (Kizilcahamam), and Astragalus acikirensis (Polatli). The establishment and routine repetition of environmental radioactivity monitoring programs in each region are important for human and animal health, and the results of this study gain importance for Ankara and its surroundings in terms of environmental health.

Natural and anthropogenic radionuclides concentration with heavy metals analysis of the sediments collected around Novaya Zemlya.

The Dispersal profile of the radioisotopes (226Ra, 232Th, 235U, 40K, 137Cs) along with potentially toxic elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and Hg) in the sediments around the Novaya Zemlya was determined. The task was fulfilled with the aid of HPGe gamma spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, DMA-80 Direct Mercury Analysis System, X-ray diffraction and statistical tools. At most of the locations, the radionuclides activity was higher than the world average activity concentration for the respective nuclei, 40K being the most abundant. From all the potentially toxic elements detected, Cr and Ni were usually observed on higher levels compared to their background values, indicating the probability of the detrimental biological effects. Thus, the present situation at the studied area might be a threat to the neighboring marine life.