Irrigation water is a basic factor in maintaining productivity and conserving agricultural lands, in addition, irrigation is the most important water-consuming sector. Approximately, forty percent of the world’s food is produced by irrigation that highly depends on the resources of groundwater. Seventy-six groundwater samples were collected from the Quaternary aquifer, Eastern Nile Delta region, Egypt. Irrigation water quality parameters: pH, TDS, EC, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium to Calcium Activity Ratio (SCAR), Adjusted-SAR (adj. RNa), Adjusted Sodium to Calcium Activity Ratio (adj. SCAR), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Kelley’s Ratio (KR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Residual Sodium Bicarbonate (RSBC), Corrosively Ratio Index (CRI), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Permeability Index (PI), Potential Salinity (PS), Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) were determined to assess the groundwater quality of the Quaternary aquifer in the study area for irrigation purpose. Generally, the groundwater in the study area has a moderate quality for irrigation purposes, and as indicated by the obtained results of the determined evaluation parameters, management changes and practices should be considered for maintaining the soil properties and crop productivity.

This overview addresses uranium ore deposition and classification, mining and refining of uranium are briefly given. The main properties of primary and secondary uranium minerals are reported. The surficial uranium deposits account for approximately 4% of world uranium resources' defined as young uraniferous sediments and soils - Tertiary to Recent - near surface. The major controlling factors effect the world distribution of surficial uranium deposits are reported in details such as: climate, source, Tectonic as controlling factor led difference in relief topography and basin configuration, morphology, stratigraphy, permeability and porosity, tectonics, source and transport, mineralogy and geochemistry, evaporation processes and the interaction between basement source carrying waters and evaporative vertical. Micro- organisms which play an important roles and responsible for predominance of anaerobic bacteria controlling and enriching the U- bearing minerals (Bio- enrich). Finally, comprehensive outline on surficial depositions in Egypt is given, reviewed examples in Egypt, suggest the strong probability of surficial uranium existence (Bahariya, Sitra lakes, Fayium, Tushki basins and Ras Shukeir), moreover the Siwa oasis can represent indicative recent simulator for formation processes. Presence of carnotite in Sinai support the prevalence of similar controlling factors governs the Australia examples.

Measurements of the groundwater–temperature with depths in a borehole can be utilized to determine the direction and velocity of the groundwater flow. Temperature–depth profiles were measured in 11 observation wells adjacent to Ismailia Canal, Eastern Nile Delta region, Egypt. The steady-state heat conduction and advection equation in vertical one dimension were used to estimate vertical velocity and direction of the groundwater flow. Presenting of the obtained temperature–depth profiles in vertical two dimensions showed that the distribution of the subsurface temperature varied according to the direction of the groundwater movement. The subsurface warm zones indicate the gaining effect of Ismailia Canal and the surface warming. Obtained results suggested the existence of upward groundwater flow in most of the examined boreholes with velocities ranging from 13 to 162 cm/year, while only two boreholes showed a downward groundwater flow with a mean velocity of about 52 cm/year. The estimated upward movement of groundwater in the eastern part of the study area around Ismailia Canal makes the groundwater a potential cause for waterlogging occurrences in that part. Deviation of subsurface temperature profiles that is caused by advection, from the distribution profiles, which are affected only by conduction, can be analyzed to estimate the vertical water fluxes.

THE LEACHING of thorium from representative samples collected from Abu Rusheid area, south Eastern Desert, Egypt using sulphuric acid has been studied. Factors affecting the leaching of thorium were investigated such as, acid type, S/L ratio, H2SO4 concentration, leaching time, temperature and grain size. The best conditions for leaching of thorium were, H2SO4 acid as the  best acid, S/L ratio of 1:5,   3.0 M H2SO4, 2.0 hour of leaching time, -200 mesh size at 90°C. After leaching, the mixture was filtrated then divided into two parts the leach liquor and the residue. The leach liquor was adjusted at pH 1.0 by ammonia solution and addition 10 % oxalic acid. The precipitate obtained was filtrated and dried at 120oC for 1 hour. The obtained precipitate showed 91.60 % of thorium content when using 3.0 M H2SO4 acid. The quality of the precipitate was confirmed by XRF

Calcareous shale samples, from Um Bogma Formation, at Gabel Allouga, south western Sinai, Egypt, assaying 874 ppm U and 2050 ppm Cu have been investigated for the recovery of uranium and copper. Different factors affecting alkaline leaching of uranium and copper from the calcareous shale under study were investigated. It was found that a solution containing a mixture of 2.0 M ammonium carbonate and 0.5 M ammonium bicarbonate, at a solid sample to liquid ratio (S/L) of 1.0/4.0 and stirred for 3.0 hours at 60 degrees C using H2O2 as oxidant attains the highest leaching efficiency. The leaching efficiency was found to be 91.5% and 94.7% for U and Cu elements, respectively. Recovery of uranium and copper was first achieved from the leach liquor using lewtit mono plus M 500 anion exchange resin, for separation of uranium. This was followed by washing and uranium stripping by NaCl solution. Uranium was then precipitated as sodium diuranite using sodium hydroxide. From the leach liquor free from uranium, copper was precipitated by evaporation followed by calcination at 650 degrees C. The purity of the products was checked by XRF technique.

The thermoluminescent properties of K-Feldspar from Gattar mountain area at Eastern Desert of Egypt show variation in intensity of characteristic glow curves with respect to exposure dose. The sensitivity of the sample under investigation is very low (with a clear fading portion) compared to that of high sensitivity TL dosimeters. The observed peak in the glow curve corresponds to the summation of five or more overlapping peaks. Such summation behavior of these approximately low temperature peaks increases the fading percentage in shallower traps. However, the fading of peaks in the deep traps indicates the existence of partial electron transfer in these overlapping peaks.

Groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer in Belbies district, south El Sharkia Governorate, Egypt has a special significance, where it is the second source for freshwater used for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. It is the main source for drinking water stations. Thirty seven representative groundwater samples were collected to evaluate its suitability for different purposes. Chemical analyses were carried out to determine the geneses and type of water. Total dissolved salts of these groundwater samples range from 224 to 855 mg/l which means fresh water. Most of the Quaternary aquifer samples reflect water of marine affinity with the predominance of sodium and chloride and/or sulphate ions, which may be due to leakage from deep Miocene aquifer. The main types of groundwater are chloride-sodium, chloride-calcium and sulphate-sodium. From this study it was found that all the studied groundwater samples suitable for drinking according to the concentration of cations, anions, nitrate and trace elements, while they are unsuitable for drinking purposes according to the content of phosphate and lead. All the studied groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purposes. [Abd-Alrahman A. Embaby, Sofia Y. Afifi and Nagwa M. El Atabany. Hydrochemical Evaluation of Belbies District Groundwater, South El Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Life Sci J 2014;11(12s):1074-1092]. (ISSN: 10978135).http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 228

Different parameters affecting the extraction of Co (II) from aqueous solutions were studied. These parameters include diluent types, pH of the aqueous phase, dithizone concentration, shaking time, temperature, aqueous to organic phase ratio, interfering ions and stripping agents. The factors studied were optimized and applied to extract and determine Co (II) in a synthetic solution, certified reference samples and geologic samples. Statistics were performed to understand the significance of the data collected and therefore set limitations on each step of the analysis. The final results indicate that the method is accurate and selective.

Natural radioactivity levels for eighteen samples from Abu Rusheid Area in South Eastern desert of Egypt have been carried out. The concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 were measured by low background spectroscopy using hyper-pure germanium (HPGe) detector. The mean activities due to U-238 (Ra-226), Th-232 and K-40 radionuclides were found to be 2384 +/- 106, 1240 +/- 6.6 and 819 +/- 53 Bq/kg, respectively. The absorbed dose rates due to the natural radioactivity in samples under investigation ranged from 1522 +/- 45 to 1796 +/- 53 nGy/h which is higher than the permissible limit. The radium equivalent activity varied from 3807 +/- 114 to 4446 +/- 133 Bq/kg. Also, the representative external hazard index values were estimated. The samples were completely described regarding their general chemical features by using x-ray fluorescence. From the study, it is found that all the samples contain considerable strategic elements concentrations such as Barium, Zinc and Niobium.

The effect of fertilizer application to the black sand soil rich with radionuclides was investigated to determine the role of organic and chemical (NPK) fertilization on plant growth and uranium and thorium accumulation by tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) and Rocket (Eruca sativa MILL.). Plants were raised in black sand soils treated with organic and NPK fertilizers. Plant growth and relationship between uranium and thorium contents of plants and between the accumulated radionuclides and plant growth was analyzed. Uranium and thorium were accumulated with higher concentrations in roots. The growth attributes decreased with the increase of uranium and thorium contents of the plant organs. The application of organic and chemical fertilizers to black sand soils makes the radionuclides unavailable for plant uptake or translocation. The fertilizer application to the black sand soil reduced the availability of uranium. A negative relationship occurred between radionuclides content and growth of L. esculentum. Fertilizer application enhanced the plant growth and the plant biomass production but suppressed the soil-to-plant transfer of radionuclides. The managed application of organic and chemical fertilizers can be considered for phytostabilization of radionuclides in the black sand soils rich in uranium and thorium.

The key point of food plant agriculture is how to regulate the harmonious relationship between the soil and the plant environment. This study deals with radionuclide uptake by two food plant and two fruit tree species in relation to the geochemical characteristics of the soil. Uranium and thorium content was determined in coastal black sand and inland cultivated soils. Four commonly cultivated species Eruca sativa, Lycopersicon esculentum, Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica were investigated. Physical and chemical properties of the soil were analysed in relation to uranium and thorium uptake by plants. The results revealed the ability of plants to accumulate uranium and thorium in their edible portions. The absorbed radionuclides were positively correlated with their concentrations in the soil and the geochemical characteristics of the soil. The transfer of radioactive elements from soil to plant is a complex process that can be regulated by controlling the geochemical characteristics of the soil, including pH, clay, silt and organic matter content that reduce the bioavailability of soil radionuclides to plants, and in turn reduce the risks of biota and human exposure to radionuclide contamination.

The extraction of uranium from aqueous nitrate solution was studied using the organic extractant tributyl phosphate or 1,4 Dioxane dissolved in different diluents. The parameters affecting the extraction and stripping of U (VI) include types of diluents, extractants concentrations, aqueous to organic phase ratio (A/O), shaking time and stripping agents. The factors studied were followed by application of the suitable extraction system to extract U content from two fractions of the solid waste (slime and coarse size) from El Sela area, Egypt.The data obtained showed that, best results were obtained using each of the following systems; 20 % TBP dissolved in toluene, A/O 1: 1, 4 min. of shaking time and 5M HNO3 acid stripping solution, or; 5 % 1,4 Dioxane dissolved in CCl4, A/O 1: 1, 5 min. of shaking time and 0.5M HNO3 acid for the stripping process.It was recommended to wash the slime sample by acidified water to decrease the range of pH to 1 to overcome the problem of hydrolysis and precipitation of uranium.The data obtained from statistical calculations showed that, Error (%) in studied samples is less than 2 %. While, the accuracy (Delta) is less than +/- 3 declaring high accuracy and precision for the obtained results.

A marble sample was taken from Hatnub area near Asyot, where a high pollution is expected. The sample was specially treated and prepared for elemental analysis using the k(0)-based internal mono standard neutron activation analysis. The irradiation facility of the first Egyptian Training Research Reactor (ET-RR-1) was used to irradiate the sample together with gold and zirconium monitor samples. The pneumatic irradiation rabbit system (PIRS) built in the vertical thermal column of the second Egyptian Training Research Reactor (ET-RR-2) was used to irradiate another weight of the marble sample and a sample from a certificated reference material JB-1 for short time irradiation. A new method was developed to measure the thermal to epithermal neutron flux ratio and the deviation in the real epithermal neutron spectrum (1/E-1 +/-alpha) 1 E from the ideal (1/E). The elemental analysis was carried out by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The accuracy of the internal mono standard method has been evaluated by analyzing the JB-1 certified reference material.

The extraction of thorium from aqueous solution was studied using the organic extractant trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) dissolved in cyclohexane. The parameters affecting the extraction, determination and stripping of Th(IV) included type of extractant, shaking time, extractant concentration, pH, aqueous to organic phase ratio (A/O), temperature, certain interfering ions and stripping agents. Best results were at 0.08M TOPO, pH 1, 2: 1 A/O, shaking time 4 min. at 22 +/- 1 degrees C. The best factors for stripping process were 2M H2SO4, 4:1 A/O, shaking time 4 min. at 22 +/- 1 degrees C. The factors studied were followed by application of the extraction system to extract and determine thorium content from certified reference samples and geologic samples collected from South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Also thorium was separated in a laboratory scale from a representative sample of the geologic comprised six samples in a pure state as thorium oxide. Statistics were performed to evaluate the importance of the data collected and therefore set limitations on each step of the analysis. The final results indicate that the method has high precision and accuracy in addition to be fast and of selective manner.

The pegmatite bodies of the Eastern Desert of Egypt are widely distributed especially along the Marsa-Alam-Idfu road. The Abu Dob area covers about 150 km(2) of the Arabian Nubian shield at the central part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Most of the pegmatite is zoned: the zonation starts with milky quartz at the core followed by alkali feldspar at the margins. The feldspars vary in color from rose to milky and in composition from K-feldspar to Na-feldspar, sometimes interactions of both types are encountered.Thirteen feldspar samples were collected from different locations in the Abu Dob area for measuring the natural radioactivity of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 using an HPGe detector. The variation in concentration of radionuclides for the area under investigation can be classified into regions of high, medium and low natural radioactivity. The average concentration in BqKg(-1) has been observed to be from 9.5 to 183675.7 BqKg(-1) for U-238, between 6.1 and 94,314.2 BqKg(-1) for 232Th and from 0 to 7894.6 BqKg(-1) for K-40. Radium equivalent activities (Ra-eq), dose rate (D-R) and external hazard (H-ex) have also been determined.In the present work, the concentration of rare earth elements are measured for two feldspar samples using two techniques, Environmental Scanning Electron microscope XIL 30 ESEM, Philips, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The existence of rare earth elements in this area are very high and can be used in different important industries. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Natural radioactive materials under certain conditions can reach hazardous radiological levels. The natural radionuclide (238U, 232Th, 40K) contents of rock samples at various locations in the North Tushki area were investigated using gamma-spectrometric analysis. Estimates of the measured radionuclide content have been made for the absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation. The equivalent radium (Req) and the external hazard index (Hex) which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated and tabulated. The studied samples have been collected from various rock exposures in the North Tushki area. The distribution of major oxides, U and Th were studied. It is found that the enrichment and depletion of the major oxides are mainly due to the effect of hydrothermal alteration, which caused mobility of some major oxides, which increases some elements and decreases others. It is important to mention that the study area is far from the development region of the Tushki project and is only a local hazard. Therefore, additional regional studies of the Tushki Project area should be under taken to explore any unexpected environmental hazard due to the high concentration of the radioactive elements, which have been observed at its north boundary.