Browsing by Author "El-Taher, Atef"

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Heavy Metal Detection in Soil and Related Health Aspect at Aila Inundated Sundarban Region, Bangladesh
(International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 2019) Arafin, Sk. Abdul Kader; Hoque, A. K. M. Fazlul; Abedin, M. Joynal; El-Taher, Atef
The work was conducted on some soil samples collected from Aila flood water inundated 3 unions of Shamnagar upazila, Satkhira, Bangladesh where Aila flood water inundated and were few months. The soil samples were analyzed to determine elemental contamination by PIXE analysis. The elemental concentration of Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg and PB in the investigated soil samples is higher than the values obtained from reference soil samples provided from IAEA. The elevated amount of Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg and PB may affect the geological properties of the soil and thus play some important role of anatomical characters and heavy metal accumulation potentiality during the development and growth of plants in the area which ultimate effect on population health. The present work also will be useful in providing environmental monitoring base data of those particular areas.
Radiated Power from Mobile Base Stations and the Level of Awareness of Residents Living Close to it
(2024-06-15) Bello, Aisha A.; Onyoku, Grace O.; Usman, Rilwan; Otto, Muhammed Sani; El-Taher, Atef
Low-frequency non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) emanates from antennas in Mobile Base Stations (MBS). There is a general concern that living close to a Mobile Base Station (MBS) could be associated with health effects such as headache, sleep disorder, and fatigue. Using a High-Frequency Spectrum Analyzer (HF-2025E) coupled with its hyper-log antenna (HL-7025) and a set of questionnaires, this work assessed radiated power on human body surface from eleven (11) MBSs located in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and knowledge of residents on EMR from MBSs. The result shows that mobile operators’ frequencies in the 900MHz band were found to be dominant. The minimum power density was 0.02 μWm ⁻² and the maximum power density was 927.97 μWm ⁻² in the 900 MHz bands. The maximum average absorbed radiated power was 297.77 μW on an adult male body surface area. These maximum values are below the ICNIRP standard of 4.5 Wm ⁻² ; concerns however, are on prolonged exposure whose value may exceed the ICNIRP limit. Results from the questionnaire show an average level (53% and 51%) of awareness of EMR from respondents living close to the MBSs and their safety issues. This paper recommends more public awareness of issues relating to EMR from MBSs.
Radiological and Ecological Hazards Evaluation of Episyenite Used As Building Materials
(Springer Nature, 2023-04-19) Taalab, Sherif A.; Al Meshari, Meshari; Alzamil, Yasser; Abanomy, Ahmad; Alyahyawi, Amjad R.; Mohamed, Waheed H.; El-Taher, Atef
The research area lies in Egypt’s Central Eastern Desert and is considered one of the most important localities where it contains many valuable metals. The episyenite rocks serve as a trap for uranium mineralization. The current study focused on evaluating the natural radioactive risk and pollution. The radioelement contents were determined by using Na–I detector. Episyenite rocks have high radioelement contents and low eTh/eU ratio. eU and eTh concentration contour maps indicate that the central and southeastern parts are high, while the northeastern and southwestern parts are high in Potassium. The radiological and ecological parameters were higher than the recommended international values in some samples, clarifying its unsafe use as building material or in infrastructure.
Radiological and Environmental Hazards of Granitic Rocks in Wadi Faliq El Sahl and El Waar Area, North Eastern Desert, Egypt
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2023-03-09) Taalab, Sherif A.; Mohamed, Waheed H.; Shetaia, Said A.; Meshari, Meshari Al; Alzamil, Yasser; Abanomy, Ahmad; Alyahyawi, Amjad R.; El-Taher, Atef
Chronologically, the main exposures in the study area include; tonalite, granodiorite, adamellite, Hammamat Sediments, monzogranite, syenogranite, rapakivi syenogranite, alkali feldspar granite and dykes. This work aims to determine the suitability of the granitic rocks for using as ornamental stones through detecting their radiological and ecological impacts. The studied samples were measured radiometrically by using Na-I detector for determination of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K concentrations. External hazard indices (Hex) in some samples are more than unity, also, the (Raeq) are higher than the exemption limits (370 Bq.kg−1) exceeds the upper limit of exposure. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was applied to investigate the correlation between the radionuclides and the corresponding radiological hazard variables. Based on the statistical analysis, 232Th and 226Ra mainly contribute to the radioactive risk of the studied rocks. Regarding ecological indices, 42.1% of younger granite samples have Pollution load index values greater than 1, indicating deterioration, while the majority of older granite samples are lower than 1 suggesting perfection samples. Where, some sample from the older granitoids and younger granites have many radiological and ecological parameters greater than the recommended international limits, so, these samples should not be used in construction for safety reasons.
Study of the Synergistic Effects of Meteorological, Oceanographic, Biological, and Radiological Parameters (MOBR) on Marine Ecosystems Around a Nuclear Power Plant
(Elsevier, 2023-10-30) AL-Sharif, Sherif A.; Chapara, Manjulatha; El-Taher, Atef; ElBessa, Mohamed; Osman, Alaa
MOBR is the study of the synergistic effects of meteorological, oceanographic, biological, and radiological parameters on each other to monitor the state of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere in a particular marine environment. In our work, 24 parameters of MOBR data were collected to assess the marine ecosystems around Madras nuclear power plant. The results demonstrated the significant influence of sea level pressure on surface air temperature, its role in wind formation, control of wind affecting sea current velocity, and subsequent effects on the cover percentage of living and non-living organisms, biodiversity, as well as the seasonal behavior of Uranium 238 (U-238) across various spheres. The observations highlighted a key aspect of the study area, which was predominantly covered by high sand ratios (76 and 88% during the premonsoon and monsoon seasons, respectively). This sand dominance impacted biodiversity significantly. Interestingly, the highest values of U- 238 were recorded in sediment, dust, crabs, and green algae during the monsoon season, with the exception of fish. This pattern was a result of the prevailing sand dominance. This study is considered the first attempt to infer the interactions between meteorological, oceanographic, biological, and radiological parameters (MOBR) to monitor marine ecosystems.
The Influence of Thermal Treatment on the Structural Properties and Gamma Rays Shielding of Bentonite Clay Ceramic
(Elsevier, 2024-04-15) Alafer, Feras; Sallam, F.H.; Al Meshari, Meshari; Alzamil, Yasser; Abanomy, Ahmad; Alhujaili, Sultan; El-Taher, Atef
Bentonite clay has renowned in the gamma rays shielding field, as it is a natural, low-cost, obtainable, plentiful material and outstanding shielding ability. Bentonite clay was thermally activated at 900 °C, 1000 °C, and 1100 °C to acquire ceramic features with the desired porosity. Heat treatment of bentonite clay leads to mass loss due to dehydration and dihydroxylation process. The elemental composition of the different sintered bentonite ceramic samples was identified by X-ray fluorescence. The structure of bentonite ceramic samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction, particle size determination, and density measurements, moreover, a scanning electron microscope clarifies the surface morphology of the samples. Shielding measurements were investigated for different sintered bentonite ceramic samples against gamma rays using a sodium iodide detector and narrow beam transmission technique, in addition to two point sources Cs-137 and Co-60 which emits 662 keV, 1173 keV, and 1332 keV. It has been found that the ceramic samples sintered at 1100 °C have the best shielding parameters (linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, half value layer, tenth value layer, and mean free path). Experimental values of the mass attenuation coefficient of the sintered sample at 1100 °C were compared with theoretical values estimated from both XCOM and Physics-X programs and found that there is a little difference between them that doesn't exceed 10%. At last, the radiation protection efficiency of all samples was calculated and concluded that the same sintered sample at 1100 °C is the optimum sample in all investigated properties.
The Radiation Monitoring of the Mangrove Plants in Egypt's Red Sea Coast
(Elsevier, 2024-07-17) Magdy, Shaimaa M.; El-Taher, Atef; Nabil, Islam M.; Abbady, Adel G.E.; Madkour, Hashem Abbas
The assessment of the radioactivity level and associated risks has been performed for the mangrove plants. Twenty-five mangrove samples were collected from the Abu Fasi, Marsa Shaab, and Sowmaa mangroves in the Marsa Shaab area of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The activity concentration values of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K for samples collected from sediments associated with the mangrove environments were measured. The specific activities in mangrove samples obtained in the Abu Fasi region varied as follows: 15± 0.8 Bq.kg-1 to 42± 2.1 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 10± 0.5 Bq.kg-1 to 39± 1.9 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th, and 103± 5.2 Bq.kg-1 to 340± 17 Bq.kg-1 for 40K. Additionally, the activity concentrations of the mangrove samples collected from Marsa Shaab and Sowmaa mangrove areas ranged as follows: 28± 1.4 to 56± 2.8 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 18± 0.9 to 58± 2.9 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th, and 164± 8.2 to 531± 26.5 Bq.kg-1 for 40K. Moreover, the mangrove samples collected from the Sharm el El Madfea area showed activity concentrations ranging as follows: 25± 1.3 to 52± 2.6 Bq.kg-1, 15± 0.8 to 61± 3 Bq.kg-1, and 250± 9.1 to 583± 29.2 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The highest average values were observed in samples collected from Marsa Shaab and Sowmaa mangroves for the 226Ra and 232Th. However, the highest average value for 40K was measured in samples collected from the Sharm El Madfea area. The radiation hazard calculations for the collected mangrove samples showed much lower values than the criterion and worldwide recommended limits.
The Radiation Monitoring of the Mangrove Plants in Egypt's Red Sea Coast
(Wolters Kluwer Health, 2024-08-15) Magdy, Shaimaa M.; El-Taher, Atef; Nabil, Islam M.; Abbady, Adel G.E.; Madkour, Hashem Abbas
The assessment of the radioactivity level and associated risks has been performed for the mangrove plants. Twenty-five mangrove samples were collected from the Abu Fasi, Marsa Shaab, and Sowmaa mangroves in the Marsa Shaab area of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The activity concentration values of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K for samples collected from sediments associated with the mangrove environments were measured. The specific activities in mangrove samples obtained in the Abu Fasi region varied as follows: 15± 0.8 Bq.kg-1 to 42± 2.1 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 10± 0.5 Bq.kg-1 to 39± 1.9 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th, and 103± 5.2 Bq.kg-1 to 340± 17 Bq.kg-1 for 40K. Additionally, the activity concentrations of the mangrove samples collected from Marsa Shaab and Sowmaa mangrove areas ranged as follows: 28± 1.4 to 56± 2.8 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 18± 0.9 to 58± 2.9 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th, and 164± 8.2 to 531± 26.5 Bq.kg-1 for 40K. Moreover, the mangrove samples collected from the Sharm el El Madfea area showed activity concentrations ranging as follows: 25± 1.3 to 52± 2.6 Bq.kg-1, 15± 0.8 to 61± 3 Bq.kg-1, and 250± 9.1 to 583± 29.2 Bq.kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The highest average values were observed in samples collected from Marsa Shaab and Sowmaa mangroves for the 226Ra and 232Th. However, the highest average value for 40K was measured in samples collected from the Sharm El Madfea area. The radiation hazard calculations for the collected mangrove samples showed much lower values than the criterion and worldwide recommended limits.
Use of Sediments From A Subtropical Mangrove Ecosystem As A Tool For Monitoring Environmental And Radiation Hazards For the Egyptian Red Sea Coast
(Elsevier, 2024-07-17) Magdy, Shaimaa M.; El-Taher, Atef; Nabil, Islam M.; Abbady, Adel G.E.; Madkour, Hashem Abbas
The assessment of the radiological characteristics of subtropical mangrove ecosystems along Egypt's Red Sea Coast, focusing on three radionuclides: 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K. Twenty-five sediment samples were collected from three locations: Abu Fasi, Marsa Shaab, Sowmaa, and Sharm el Madfea area of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The activity concentration values of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K for samples collected from sediments associated with the mangrove environments were measured. These samples were tested using gamma-ray spectrometry. The radiological hazard indices, including radium equivalent activity, internal/external hazard indices, and gamma/alpha indices, were calculated. The findings indicated lower concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th in the samples from Abu Fasi and Sharm el Madfea compared to those from Marsa Shaab and Sowmaa. The highest average values were observed in samples collected from Marsa Shaab and Sowmaa mangroves ecosystem for the 226Ra and 232Th. However, the highest average value for 40K was measured in samples collected from the Sharm El Madfea area. The radiological hazard values for these samples were below the worldwide recommended limits, suggesting they are safe for use in industrial applications. Calculations showed all indices were well below the thresholds for concern. This means the sediments are safe for use and do not pose significant radiation exposure risks to humans or the environment.