Radioactivity levels of salt for natural sediments in the northwestern desert and local markets in Egypt

Thirteen samples of salt collected from different locations of old sediments in the western desert at El-Harra and Ain Giffara, Sitra lake and local markets in Egypt have been investigated. Natural radionuclide contents have been measured by γ-ray spectrometry employing a shielded HPGe detector. The activities of 238U, 232Th and 40K have been determined in Bq/kg dry weight. The absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation was estimated to be 1.46–16.13 nGy/h. The thorium-to-uranium concentration ratios were also estimated for the samples.