Levels and effects of natural radionuclides in sediment banks of Rhumel River (Northeast Algeria)

Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in Boumerzoug River sediment (the main tributary of Rhumel river) have been measured using high resolution HPGe detector. The activity concentrations of the samples were range from 16.66±2.32 Bq/kg to 43.48±4.03 Bq/kg with mean value of 26.64±1.33 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 20.01±1.98 Bq/kg to 32.71±3.85 Bq/kg with the mean value 25.95±1.46 Bq/kg for 232Th and 81.70±33.59 Bq/kg to 259.20±38.80 Bq/kg with the mean value 164.50±11.30 Bq/kg for 40K. These values were used to estimate the radiation hazard indices. The absorbed dose and annual effective dose were evaluated to assess the radiation risk due to the use of these sediments.