Abstract
Selected sedimentary samples from different locations on the east and west banks of the Nile River in Upper Egypt were analysed by natural radioactivity measurements to detect the presence of radioactive elements. From the analysis of radiations from super(226)Ra, super(232)Th and super(40)K isotopes, the samples were found to contain Ra, Th and K in concentrations up to 52 plus or minus 7.3, 76.2 plus or minus 6.2 and 351.9 plus or minus 17.6 Bq kg super(-1), respectively. The absorbed dose rate in air was found to be in the range of 9.6-84.8 nGyh super(-1). The representative external hazard index values for the corresponding samples were also estimated.