Natural radioactivity in farm soil and phosphate fertilizer and its environmental implications in Qena governorate, Upper Egypt

Samples of phosphate fertilizers and farm soils, taken to a depth of up to 30 cm in cultivated land, were collected over the Qena governorate, Upper Egypt. Activity concentration of background radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40K of these samples were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The results show that these radionuclides were present in concentrations of 366 ± 10.5, 66.7 ± 7.3 and 4 ± 2.6 Bq/kg for phosphate fertilizers. For farm soil and Nile island's soil the corresponding values were 13.7 ± 7, 12.3 ± 4.6, 1233 ± 646 and 11.9 ± 6.7, 10.5 ± 6.1, 1636 ± 417 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the representative level index, Iγr, and absorbed dose in air for all samples were calculated. The data were discussed and compared with those given in the literature.