Natural radioactivity and radon exhalation rate of soil in southern Egypt

The level of natural radioactivity in soil of 30 mining samples collected f rom six locations in southern Egypt was measured. Concentrations of radionu clides in samples were determined by gamma -ray spectrometer using HPGe det ector with a specially designed shield. The obtained results of uranium and thorium series as well as potassium (K-40) are discussed. The present data were compared with data obtained from different areas in Egypt. Also, a solid state nuclear track detector SSNTD (Cr-39) was used to measur e the radon concentration as well as exhalation rate for these samples. The radon concentrations were found to vary from 1.54 to 5.37 Bq/kg. The exhal ation rates were found to vary from 338.81 to 1426.47 Bq/m(2)d. The values of the radon exhalation rate are found to correspond with the uranium conce ntration values measured by the germanium detector in the corresponding soi l samples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.