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A. K. Sam, M.M.O. Ahamed, F.A. El Khangi, Y.O. El Nigumi

Uranium and thorium isotopes in some red sea sediments

Alpha-emitting isotopes of uranium and thorium in surface marine sediments collected from the harbours at Port Sudan and Sawakin on the Sudanese coast of the Red Sea have been studied using radiochemical separation procedures and alpha-particle spectrometry. Activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁴U, ²³²Th, ²³⁰Th and ²²⁸Th were measured. The ranges of activities observed for ²³⁸U and ²³²Th were 2.71-13.42 Bq/kg and 3.62-18.73 Bq/kg from Port Sudan and 3.87-24.79 Bq/kg and 1.13-10.04 Bq/kg dry weight from Sawakin, respectively. The behaviour of these decay-series nuclides was examined using daughter/parent and non-isotopic specific activity ratios in sediments. Simple regression analysis showed insignificant correlation between uranium and thorium activities and the organic matter content in sediments. The results are compared with those from coastal waters of other oceans.

Radiochimica Acta, Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag

Print ISSN: 0033-8230
Volume: 88, 05/2000
Pages: 307

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