Risk assessment and natural radionuclide content in black-sand deposits of North Sinai coast, Egypt

The radioactivity levels and risk factors have been assessed for twenty-eight positions of Black-Sand (BS) surface deposits along the Mediterranean Sea coast of north Sinai, Egypt. Twenty-eight surface samples were collected from six local cities: El Ressa, Abo Sakl, Ghornata, El Arish, El Masaed, and El Rommana. The activity concentration values of the nuclides of the 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K of the collected samples were measured using a P-type HPGe detector with a relative efficiency of ∼100% where it is defined at 1.33 MeV relative to a standard 3-inch diameter and 3-inch long NaI (TI) scintillator. El Ressa samples have relatively the most significant average values for 226Ra and 232Th, whereas El Rommana samples had the highest for 40K. The radiation hazard calculations for the collected BS samples indicated significantly lower values than the internationally recommended limits. The ambient dose rates of the six areas under study were monitored and found to range from 0.06 to 0.10 μSv.h−1. •Comprehensive radionuclide content analysis of black sand deposits in North Sinai, Egypt.•High-efficiency gamma detection used to measure 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K.•Twenty-eight samples collected from six distinct coastal locations.•Findings show radiation hazard indices significantly below global safety limits.•Ambient dose rates in surveyed areas vary from 0.06 to 0.10 μSv/h, ensuring minimal risk.