Study of Radioactive Substance Transfer in Nasser Lake: Analysis of Environmental and Biological Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems

Study of Radioactive Substance Transfer in Nasser Lake: Analysis of Environmental and Biological Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Study of Radioactive Substance Transfer in Nasser Lake: Analysis of Environmental and Biological Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems Khaled Ali, Abd El-Baset Abbady, Ahmed Abu-Taleb, Shaban Harb This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6480858/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 18 Jul, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study analyzed the transfer of radioactive elements into aquatic ecosystems in Nasser Lake, Egypt. The focus is on the concentrations of four elements—Radon-222 ( 222 Rn), Radium-226 ( 226 Ra), Thorium-232 ( 232 Th), and Potassium-40 ( 40 K)—in sediments, water, plants, and fish gathered from a specific region around the lake. A geographic information system was employed to determine the spatial distribution of radioactivity levels around the lake and to trace the correlation between these regions and the surrounding environment. The environmental impact caused by these radioactive elements was determined and defined through various statistical techniques and analyses. The study found that higher concentrations of radioactive elements in sediments were strongly correlated with increased 222 Rn emissions, suggesting potential health and environmental risks in areas with high sediment accumulation closer to the High Dam area. Furthermore, the correlation between the deposits of sediment and mass accumulations of radioactive elements in the living ecosystems was deduced. Likewise, it was proposed that pollution levels in these regions could pose a risk to human health. The last component of fish radioactive bioaccumulation was utilized, in part, to determine fish-based radiation doses sustained by an adult consumer. The findings showed that the radiation levels were still below international safety guidelines, but contamination observed near the High Dam due to heavy fish consumption raised concerns for the future. Such results underline the need for routine assessment of the radioactive contaminants in Nasser Lake. On the other hand, the hydrographic context of the Nasser Lake has higher contamination closer to the High Dam, and the fact that people are exposed to fish from the lake compromises the safety of individuals in the long term. The study also provides observations that will deepen our understanding of the distribution and movement of radioactive elements in the environment. To this end, it suggests that such pollutants' environmental and health impacts require further study. Such conclusions improve understanding that radioactive pollutants in Nasser Lake do exist, and in the future, humans and marine life could be influenced negatively, so they must be predicted. Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Natural hazards Health sciences/Risk factors Radioactive contaminants environmental impact radiation accumulation fish and aquatic plants health risks geographic modeling with ArcGIS radiological pollution Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 1. Introduction After the High Dam's construction in Aswan, Egypt, Nasser Lake, a man-made lake, was formed and is considered to be one of the largest lakes in the world. It provides abundant freshwater and a mixed array of aquatic plants, fish, and wildlife [ 1 ]. In addition, the lake serves a purpose for nearby communities that rely on it for farming and fishing activities [ 2 ]. However, there have been issues rising with the growing pollution, including radioactive contamination, from agricultural, industrial, and environmental activities around the lake, not just affecting the aquatic ecosystem but also threatening the human health of populations. Aquatic plants, fish, sediments, and lake water all naturally contain radioactive elements that can be dangerous in excessive amounts as well. Radium-226 ( 226 Ra), Thorium-232 ( 232 Th), and Potassium-40 ( 40 K), to name a few, are naturally found in soil and water and are a few of the radioactive elements that can be found in these living organisms, such as fish and plants [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. Plants absorb radioactive elements from the soil through their roots or from dissolved substances in water. Fish, in turn, come into contact with these radioactive elements through the ingestion of water or through the consumption of plants or other organisms that contain them. Furthermore, radon gas ( 222 Rn) emission from sediments is another source of radiation in the aquatic ecosystems (sediments, water, aquatic plants, and fish) in the lake environment [ 5 ]. The study intends to look at how radioactive elements transfer and accumulate in Nasser Lake's ecosystem by analyzing their concentrations in the water, sediments, aquatic plants, and fish [ 5 ]. The study looks to include measurements of 222 Rn emissions from sediments to gain profound insight into the mechanisms of movement of these contaminants in the environment. The major focus of this study is to investigate the effect of these radioactive elements on the health of living organisms in the ecosystem. Moreover, the study will also address the potential threat posed by the bioaccumulation of these elements in fish and aquatic plants, which are essential in the local food chain. The study will employ comprehensive analytical techniques, gamma spectroscopy, and an ionization chamber to measure the levels of these elements in the different media and their transport in the ecosystem. This study is of strategic importance since it aids in improving the environmental knowledge of the situation in Nasser Lake and emphasizes the health aspect of this important ecosystem. Additionally, the results of this study aid in planning activities that are vital in averting radioactive risks in water bodies and ensuring that the environment and health of people within the environment are protected. 2. Experimental Study To stand for the environmental diversity of Naser Lake, samples were collected from ten carefully chosen locations along the area throughout southern Egypt. These locations were selected to ensure thorough coverage by capturing differences in geological and ecological traits. For correct cross-comparisons, ten samples of each type (water, aquatic plants, fish, and shore sediments) were collected from each site. To guarantee precision and repeatability, sampling locations were recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS). To prevent contamination or evaporation, water samples were collected in Marinelli beakers that were appropriate for gamma spectroscopy measurements of radioactivity and transported to the lab under controlled conditions [ 6 ]. To guarantee that the fish samples appropriately reflected the aquatic ecosystems, they were gathered from surrounding local fishermen for each site. Using specialist equipment, the fish, which weighed between 0.5 and 1 kg, were washed, dried, and prepared for analysis. The aquatic plants were collected from the same sites, cleaned of impurities using deionized water, dried at controlled temperatures, and powdered into fine particles for storage in Marinelli beakers. Stones and other debris were manually removed from shorelines that were 5–10 meters from the water's edge to obtain sediment samples. To guarantee homogeneity, the sediments were ground into fine powders, dried at 105°C for at least 24 hours, and then carefully combined. The quartering method was used to obtain the subsamples, which were subsequently stored in sealed Marinelli beakers. To guarantee radioactive equilibrium between long-lived isotopes, like 226 Ra and 232 Th, and their short-lived offspring, the prepared samples had the opportunity to equilibrate for 28 days [ 7 ]. This allowed for precise and trustworthy measurements [ 8 ]. Radioactive isotopes were analyzed by gamma spectrometry employing a sodium iodide scintillation detector doped with thallium, NaI(Tl) [ 6 ]. Activity concentrations of the radioactive elements have been calculated using the count rate, emission probabilities, quantity of samples, and detector efficiency in this system, which improved detection accuracy and efficiency [ 6 ]. The photopeak’s that corresponded to each isotope were found via spectral analysis. With a combination of AquaKIT equipment along with the ionization chamber AlphaGUARD PQ2000PRO, radon exhalation rates ( 222 Rnex) were measured [ 9 ]. Background measurements were conducted after the system was flushed with air to adjust baseline 222 Rn levels in line with ambient concentrations [ 10 ]. To eliminate 222 Rn from the samples, they were set in a degassing vessel that was connected to the AquaKIT system. Air was pumped through the vessel at a rate of 0.3 L/minute. After air pumping stopped, the detector recorded 222 Rn levels for 20 minutes in the flow mode. To guarantee dependability, the procedure was carried out three times for every sample [ 9 ] [ 11 ]. The findings offer valuable insights into the effects of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake on the environment and human health. They set up a robust baseline for evaluating the spatial distribution of radionuclides and the associated risks of 222 Rn exposure. The findings back up environmental risk assessments and guide the development of effective strategies to mitigate potential impacts on public health. 3. Results and Discussion 3.1. Spatial distribution analysis of radioactive elements The spatial distribution analysis using ArcGIS of the radioactive elements in Nasser Lake, based on the associated data in Table 1 , clearly shows the significant influence of the High Dam on the distribution of these radionuclides. Furthermore, the geological structure of the lake needs to be considered, as the characteristics of the rocks and sediments directly affect the accumulation and distribution of radionuclides. Figure 1 -a shows a noticeable spatial distribution of 222 Rn ex from the sediments, with the highest concentrations of 222 Rn ex measured near the High Dame at site 1 (23°58'11"N 32°55'18"E) measuring 32.36 ± 5.68 Bq/m³. Conversely, other locations south of the lake showed lower rates, including site 8 (22°21'46.67"N 31°47'12.66"E), which showed 10.16 ± 3.19 Bq/m³. 222 Rn concentrations tend to increase in areas near the High Dam due to sediment accumulation upstream. The dam prevents sediment flow into the Nile River, causing silt and heavy minerals to settle in this region. Studies show that these sediments, enriched by the geological characteristics of the surrounding area, contain notable concentrations of uranium. The Nile River carries heavy minerals, including uranium, from upstream regions, which accumulate in Nasser Lake due to the dam's role in keeping sediment [ 1 ]. Additionally, the sedimentary rocks surrounding the lake, known for their uranium content, contribute to this enrichment [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ]. While uranium concentrations in the area differ depending on location and sediment type, they are generally within natural distributions, showing the interaction of hydrological and geological processes. Figure 1 -b depicts the distribution of 226 Ra in sediments, with higher concentrations seen near the High Dam. Site 1 had a 226 Ra concentration of 10.99 ± 0.42 Bq/kg, while site 8 in the south had a significantly lower concentration of 1.92 ± 0.08 Bq/kg. Such discrepancies show the considerable impact of the geological structure, where accumulations of sediment rich in radioactive elements near the High Dam result in increasing concentrations. Locations with uranium-rich rocks contribute to increased concentrations of these elements. As displayed in Fig. 1 -c, 232 Th concentrations are significantly higher in locations closest to the High Dam. At site 1, the concentration was 23.94 ± 1.91 Bq/kg, while site 8 recorded just 5.62 ± 0.28 Bq/kg. The spatial distribution of 40 K is similar to Fig. 1 -d, with higher concentrations at site 1 (277.38 ± 23.86 Bq/kg) than at site 8, which recorded 123.27 ± 10.61 Bq/kg. These findings confirm that the High Dam region is a hotspot for the accumulation of these radionuclides in sediments. Moving on to the water samples and the spatial distribution of radioactive elements presented in Figs. 2 -a to 2 -c, the influence of the High Dam on radioactive element concentrations in the water is clear. For instance, Fig. 2 -a shows that site 1 had the highest concentrations of 226 Ra in the water (1.28 ± 0.06 Bq/kg) compared to other sites. Figure 2 -b of the 232 Th spatial distribution in water and Fig. 2 -c of the 40 K spatial distribution in water show a parallel pattern, with concentrations considerably higher near the High Dam. These phenomena can be explained by the leaching of radionuclides from sediments into the water induced by the lake's currents. In terms of plants, as shown in the spatial distribution in Figs. 3 -a to 3 -c, radioactive substance accumulation in plants is strongly correlated with geographic location. The concentrations are higher near the High Dam. For example, site 1 recorded 0.75 ± 0.04 Bq/kg of 226 Ra; however, other sites showed lower concentrations. It shows that plants absorb radioactive elements more readily in places with higher concentrations in sediments and water. In the case of fish (Figs. 4 -a to 4 -b), radioactive substance concentrations are similarly higher close to the High Dam. The fish at site 1 had the highest 226 Ra content (0.52 ± 0.026 Bq/kg), followed by 232 Th (0.26 ± 0.02 Bq/kg) and 40 K (18.77 ± 1.61 Bq/kg). These findings confirm the hypothesis that radioactive elements are transferred via the food chain, with radionuclides accumulating in fish due to their presence in water and plants. Given the geological impacts of the High Dam, it is obvious that Nasser Lake's geological structure has a major effect on radionuclide distribution. The region's sedimentary rocks, rich in uranium and other radioactive elements, together with the movement of water induced by the High Dam, play a key role in the accumulation of these elements in water, plants, and fish. As a result, the distribution of radioactive elements is not uniform, with concentrations higher near the High Dam and progressively decreasing as distance from it increases. Table 1 222 Rn ex (Bq/m 3 ) from sediment, and the radioactive element concentrations (Bq/kg) from sediment, water, plants, and fish from Nasser Lake Sites Coordinates Sediment Water Plants Fish 222 Rn ex 226 Ra 232 Th 40 K 226 Ra 232 Th 40 K 226 Ra 232 Th 40 K 226 Ra 232 Th 40 K 1 23°58'11"N 32°55'18"E 32.36 ± 5.68 10.99 ± 0.42 23.94 ± 1.91 277.38 ± 23.86 1.28 ± 0.06 0.96 ± 0.06 16.57 ± 1.43 0.75 ± 0.04 1.25 ± 0.08 115.84 ± 9.96 0.52 ± 0.026 0.26 ± 0.02 18.77 ± 1.61 2 23°08'37"N 32°51'34"E 22.32 ± 4.72 4.42 ± 0.18 12.26 ± 0.61 195.05 ± 16.78 0.62 ± 0.03 0.36 ± 0.02 10.3 ± 0.89 0.47 ± 0.02 0.98 ± 0.09 104.91 ± 9.02 0.34 ± 0.017 0.1 ± 0.01 13.08 ± 1.12 3 23°54'48"N 32°46'41"E 25.29 ± 5.03 7.02 ± 0.27 17.67 ± 0.91 257.01 ± 22.11 0.84 ± 0.04 0.54 ± 0.03 13.28 ± 1.14 0.69 ± 0.03 1.21 ± 0.07 114.54 ± 9.85 0.51 ± 0.006 0.17 ± 0.01 18.41 ± 1.58 4 23°40'08"N 32°31'36"E 25.16 ± 5.02 5.45 ± 0.21 16.77 ± 0.84 245.59 ± 21.13 0.77 ± 0.04 0.46 ± 0.03 11.88 ± 1.02 0.64 ± 0.03 1.07 ± 0.06 114.33 ± 9.83 0.43 ± 0.022 0.13 ± 0.01 17.92 ± 1.54 5 23°17'53"N 32°44'04"E 23.25 ± 4.82 4.58 ± 0.18 12.93 ± 0.65 209.95 ± 18.06 0.72 ± 0.04 0.39 ± 0.02 11.32 ± 0.97 0.53 ± 0.03 1.06 ± 0.07 108.29 ± 9.31 0.36 ± 0.018 0.1 ± 0.01 13.56 ± 1.17 6 22°21'46.67"N 31°47'12.66"E 15.55 ± 3.94 2.46 ± 0.1 8.23 ± 0.41 153.59 ± 11.18 0.26 ± 0.01 0.15 ± 0.01 2.58 ± 0.22 0.22 ± 0.01 0.7 ± 0.12 83.96 ± 6.11 0.18 ± 0.009 0.02 ± 0.001 6.19 ± 0.53 7 22°37'34"N 32°21'55"E 17.01 ± 4.12 4.14 ± 0.16 9.99 ± 0.5 184.03 ± 15.83 0.41 ± 0.02 0.25 ± 0.02 4.94 ± 0.43 0.3 ± 0.02 0.91 ± 0.06 100.2 ± 8.62 0.28 ± 0.014 0.03 ± 0.003 9.19 ± 0.79 8 22°15'33"N 31°29'40"E 10.16 ± 3.19 1.92 ± 0.08 5.62 ± 0.28 123.27 ± 10.61 0.2 ± 0.011 0.09 ± 0.01 1.9 ± 0.16 0.17 ± 0.01 0.6 ± 0.03 80.57 ± 6.93 0.08 ± 0.004 0.01 ± 0.001 5.86 ± 0.5 9 23°02'16"N 32°35'18"E 21.92 ± 4.68 4.28 ± 0.17 10.71 ± 0.56 186.71 ± 16.06 0.47 ± 0.02 0.29 ± 0.02 7.53 ± 0.65 0.34 ± 0.02 0.92 ± 0.06 101.28 ± 8.71 0.29 ± 0.015 0.09 ± 0.01 12.9 ± 1.11 10 22°29'08"N 31°47'00"E 16.39 ± 4.05 3.59 ± 0.14 9.7 ± 0.49 174.9 ± 15.05 0.38 ± 0.02 0.2 ± 0.01 3.76 ± 0.32 0.25 ± 0.01 0.86 ± 0.06 91.92 ± 7.9 0.24 ± 0.012 0.03 ± 0.002 6.34 ± 0.55 3.2. Analyzing the correlation between radionuclide concentrations in aquatic ecosystems 3.2.1. Correlation analysis Based on the correlation analysis (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient) findings between radioactive element concentrations across aquatic ecosystems, the study showed strong and statistically significant correlations in the different media. Table 2 has a correlation matrix that details the correlations between aquatic ecosystems for each radioactive element. Table 2 Correlation Matrix of Radioactive Elements Across Aquatic Ecosystems Sediment To Water Sediment To Plant Water To Plants Water To Fish Plants To Fish 226 Ra 0.965 0.874 0.953 0.929 0.968 232 Th 0.981 0.928 0.886 0.979 0.903 40 K 0.949 0.952 0.947 0.963 0.957 The concentrations of 226 Ra exhibited an intense correlation throughout aquatic ecosystems. The relationship between sediments and water showed the highest correlation coefficient value of 0.965, reflecting the balanced presence of 226 Ra in both media. Meanwhile, the correlation between sediments and plants was 0.874, showing that 226 Ra goes from sediments to plants, albeit to a lesser level than it moves to water. When comparing water and plants, the correlation coefficient was 0.953, showing a substantial relationship between 226 Ra concentrations in both water and plants, implying that 226 Ra in water has a definite impact on its accumulation in plants. Among the radioactive elements, 232 Th had the highest correlation coefficient of 0.981, showing a significant correlation between 232 Th concentrations in sediments and water. The correlation between water and plants was likewise robust, with a value of 0.886, showing a significant relationship between 232 Th concentrations in water and plants. However, the relationship between plants and fish was weaker than the other elements, with a correlation coefficient of 0.903, showing that 232 Th has a smaller effect on fish than its effect on plants. For 40 K, the study found high relationships with other media. The correlation coefficient between sediments and water was 0.949, showing a strong correlation between 40 K concentrations in sediment and water. The correlation between sediments and plants was 0.952, showing that sediments had a significant influence on 40 K concentrations in plants. The plant-fish relationship was one of the strongest, with a correlation coefficient of 0.957, proving that 40 K in plants can be successfully passed on to fish. Figures 5 a- 5 c show the distribution of radioactive concentrations in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems. Based on these findings, it is clear that there are considerable correlations among radioactive elements across aquatic ecosystems, implying that the abundance of these elements in the environment is heavily influenced by their concentrations in other media. It is worth noting that sediments and water typically behave as balanced media, influencing ambient quantities of radioactive elements. Plants, on the other hand, play an important role in transmitting these components from other media, particularly 40K, to fish. These findings highlight the necessity of knowing how these elements flow through the ecosystem, as well as investigating their possible environmental effects on living organisms in Nasser Lake. 3.2.2. Variance analysis Table 3 shows the results of the variance analysis (ANOVA) for radioactive element concentrations in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems. The variance analysis for 226 Ra across the aquatic ecosystems of Naser Lake found extensive and significant variation. The p-value of 1.05×10 − 9 showed a significant difference in 226 Ra concentrations across aquatic environments. Furthermore, the F-statistic value of 28.96, which is beyond the critical F-value of 2.866, provided added support for the finding of significant variations. The sum of squares (SS) values revealed that the between-group variation (147.8) contributed more to the overall variance than the within-group variation (61.23), supporting the conclusion that there are significant variations in 226 Ra concentrations among aquatic ecosystems. The Tukey HSD analysis revealed significant variations between sediments and other aquatic ecosystems. The pairwise comparisons revealed significant variations between sediments and water, plants, and fish, with Q-statistics of 10.4, 10.79, and 11.06, respectively, and p-values < 0.01, showing that sediments function as a primary source of 226 Ra, with significantly higher concentrations than the other media. In contrast, no significant variations were found across water, plants, and fish, showing that the 226 Ra concentrations in these mediums are identical. This emphasizes the significance of sediments as a reservoir for 226 Ra in the Nasser Lake ecosystem, as well as the need for added research to better understand the biogeochemical processes that drive this element's transfer. The analysis for 232 Th also revealed significant variations among the four media. The F-statistic value of 52.79, which exceeded the critical threshold of 2.87, and the p-value of 2.92×10 − 13 , proved statistically significant variations between media. This reflects several reasons affecting variations in 232 Th concentrations. The Tukey HSD test found significant variations between sediment and other aquatic ecosystems, with p-values < 0.01 for all comparisons (e.g., sediment vs. water, sediment vs. plant, sediment vs. fish). However, there were no significant variations between water, plants, and fish, as seen by the high p-values (> 0.01). These findings show that sediments function as a primary reservoir for 232 Th, while 232 Th transport between other aquatic ecosystems, such as water, plants, and fish, is less significant. Similarly, the analysis of 40 K concentrations showed significant variations among media. The F-statistics of 132.44, along with a low p-value of 1.67×10 − 19 , verified considerable fluctuation in 40 K concentrations. The Tukey HSD test proved significant variations between sediments and water, plants, and fish (Q-statistics of 24.36, 12.56, and 23.88, respectively, with p-values < 0.01). It shows that 40 K concentrations are significantly higher in sediments than in other media. Furthermore, there was significant variation between water and plants (Q-statistics of 11.80, p < 0.01), showing a large variance in 40 K levels between these two mediums. There was no statistically significant variation between water and fish (Q-statistic of 0.48, p = 0.90) or between plants and fish (Q-statistic of 11.32, p < 0.01), suggesting that 40 K levels in these media are more closely related. Lastly, the ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests prove that aquatic ecosystems have a considerable impact on radioactive element concentrations. Sediments appeared as the principal reservoir for these elements, with large transfers taking place between sediments and water, plants, and fish, notably 226 Ra and 232 Th. However, at 40 K, while sediments play an important role, the variations between water, plants, and fish were more subtle. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding how radioactive elements transfer through the ecosystem, as well as the necessity for more research into the consequences of these transfers on Nasser Lake's environmental health. Figure 6 displays the average radioactive element concentrations in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems. Table 3 Results of ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests for radioactive element concentrations across the aquatic ecosystems in Nasser Lake Source of variation SS Degrees of freedom Mean Squares F-static P-value F crit Treatments pair Tukey HSD Statistic p-value Inferfence 226 Ra Between Groups 147.8 3 49.27 28.96 \(\:1.05\times\:{10}^{-9}\) 2.87 Sediment vs. Water 10.4 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Within Groups 61.24 36 1.7 Sediment vs. Plant 10.79 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Total 209.04 39 Sediment vs. Fish 11.06 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Water vs. Plant 0.39 0.8999947 insignificant Water vs. Fish 0.66 0.8999947 insignificant Plant vs. Fish 0.27 0.8999947 insignificant 232 Th Between Groups 1140.21 3 380.07 52.79 \(\:2.92\times\:{10}^{13}\) 2.87 Sediment vs. Water 14.63 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Within Groups 259.19 36 7.2 Sediment vs. Plant 13.94 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Total 1399.41 39 Sediment vs. Fish 14.95 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Water vs. Plant 0.69 0.8999947 insignificant Water vs. Fish 0.32 0.8999947 insignificant Plant vs. Fish 1.02 0.8832123 insignificant 40 K Between Groups 247633.59 3 82544.53 132.44 \(\:1.67{\times\:10}^{-19}\) 2.87 Sediment vs. Water 24.37 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Within Groups 22436.9 36 623.25 Sediment vs. Plant 12.51 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Total 270070.49 39 Sediment vs. Fish 23.88 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Water vs. Plant 11.8 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 Water vs. Fish 0.4834 0.8999947 insignificant Plant vs. Fish 11.3194 0.0010053 ** p < 0.01 3.2.3. Multivariate Analysis Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a statistical technique for reducing dimensionality and finding the underlying elements causing variance in multivariable data. In this study, PCA was used to examine the distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems. This analysis is an important component of the current study since it builds on prior studies, such as ANOVA and Tukey tests, which helped reveal significant variations between the different locations in Nasser Lake. The PCA results, displayed in Table 4 , clearly reveal that the first component (PC1) accounts for 94.04% of the entire variation in the dataset. This high proportion indicates that this component has a considerable effect on the data's overall distribution. The PC1's eigenvalue is 11.28, indicating its dominance in influencing variations across sample locations. This suggests that the majority of the variation in radioactive element concentrations can be attributed to the variables included in PC1, which most likely represent primary environmental factors, such as proximity to the High Dam or sediment accumulation areas, which influence the distribution of radioactive elements in the lake. In terms of the other components, the second component (PC2) explains just 3.77% of the variation, with the following components accounting for increasingly smaller quantities. This suggests that the secondary environmental variables represented by these components have a lower influence on the distribution of radioactive elements than PC1. The third through tenth components (PC3 ~ PC10) contribute truly little to explaining the variance, further emphasizing the dominance of PC1 in the analysis, Fig. 7 . When correlating these results with the outcomes from ANOVA and Tukey tests, the PCA findings are further validated. The ANOVA and Tukey tests reveal significant variations in element concentrations across Nasser Lake locations, which are consistent with the PCA results, implying that large-scale environmental factors cause the majority of variance in radioactive element distribution. The significant proportion of variance explained by PC1 lends credence to the idea that variables such as proximity to the High Dam and the accumulation of sediment play an important role in determining the spatial distribution of these radioactive elements. The PCA findings provide helpful insight into the distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake. They emphasize that the key environmental variables interact in a complicated way to influence the distribution of such elements. This analysis contributes to a better understanding of how environmental factors, particularly those related to the High Dam and the accumulation of sediments, affect the mobility and concentrations of radioactive elements in the lake ecosystem. Table 4 PCA eigenvalues and variance explanation for radioactive elements in Nasser Lake PCs Eigenvalue Percentage of Variance Cumulative 1 11.28426 0.9404 0.9404 2 0.45259 0.0377 0.9781 3 0.13171 0.011 0.989 4 0.0573 0.0048 0.9938 5 0.04037 0.0034 0.9972 6 0.02408 0.002 0.9992 7 0.00572 0.0005 0.9997 8 0.00326 0.0003 0.9999 9 0.000701 0.0001 1 10 0 0 1 3.3. Analysis of radioactive element accumulation in living organisms 3.3.1. Comparative assessment of radioactive element accumulation The study of radioactive element accumulation in aquatic organisms (plants and fish) serves as essential for understanding how radioactive waste affects the environment and human health. Determining the concentrations of radioactive elements in living organisms from the same regions around Naser Lake is an important step toward understanding how these elements transfer through the food chain. These assessments assist in analyzing possible environmental concerns and identifying regions where radioactive accumulations may occur, impacting wildlife and human health. The findings of the Shapiro-Wilk test indicate that all data on radioactive element concentrations in living organisms have a normal distribution. For plants, the p-values for 226 Ra (0.43), 232 Th (0.92), and 40 K (0.32) are more than 0.05, confirming the hypothesis of normal distribution. For fish, the p-values for 226 Ra (0.95), 232 Th (0.216), and 40 K (0.13) are all more than 0.05, indicating that the data is normally distributed. These findings enable the application of statistical tests such as the T-test to compare concentrations across plants and fish across multiple sites, allowing for more precise comparisons of radioactive elements in various ecosystems. When employing the T-test to examine the accumulation of radioactive elements in living organisms, some significant variations in element concentrations arise. Table 1 shows that 226 Ra concentrations ranged from 0.17 ± 0.01 to 0.75 ± 0.04 Bq/kg in plants and 0.08 ± 0.004 Bq/kg to 0.52 ± 0.026 Bq/kg in fish. Given these variations, it may be important to investigate if the gap is significant enough to influence environmental findings. Plant concentrations of 232 Th ranged from 0.6 ± 0.03 to 1.25 ± 0.08 Bq/kg, whereas fish concentrations varied from 0.01 ± 0.001 to 0.26 ± 0.02. Plants had 40 K concentrations ranging from 80.57 ± 6.93 Bq/kg to 115.84 ± 9.96 Bq/kg, whereas fish had values ranging from 5.86 ± 0.5 to 18.77 ± 1.61, indicating significant variations across living organisms. The T-test will assess if the differences in radioactive element accumulation between living organisms are statistically significant. This investigation will help us understand how radiation transfers through the food chain and allow us to make more accurate environmental recommendations about radioactive hazards in the areas under investigation. To investigate the accumulation of radioactive elements in live beings, a statistical analysis utilizing the T-test was performed to compare the accumulation of radioactive elements in living organisms from different locations. The analysis findings are shown in Table 5 , which contains mean values, standard deviations, t-values, and p-values that establish the significance of variations in accumulation between living organisms. Table 5 T-test Analysis for comparative assessment of radioactive element accumulation in the living organisms Element Media Mean (Mean ± STD) t-value p-value Significance 226 Ra Plants 0.44 ± 0.21 1.42 0.173 Insignificant Fish 0.32.14 232 Th Plants 0.96 ± 0.21 12.39 < 0.0001 Significant Fish 0.09 ± 0.078 40 K Plants 101.58 ± 12.64 20.72 < 0.0001 Significant Fish 12.22 ± 5.14 The T-test findings for 226 Ra revealed no statistically significant variation in element accumulation between plants and fish (p-value = 0.173). This suggests that the variation in 226 Ra accumulation among living organisms is not statistically significant. The average 226 Ra accumulation in plants was 0.44 ± 0.21 Bq/kg, whereas in fish it was 0.32 ± 0.14 Bq/kg. Despite the modest variation in averages, the lack of significant changes implies that 226 Ra accumulation is similar in both organisms. The T-test findings revealed a significant variation in 232 Th accumulation across living organisms (p-value < 0.0001 and t-value = 12.39). The average 232 Th accumulation in plants was 0.96 ± 0.21 Bq/kg, whereas in fish it was 0.09 ± 0.078 Bq/kg. These findings show that plants accumulate far larger amounts of 232 Th than fish, indicating a difference in the ability to absorb this element amongst aquatic organisms. The T-test findings for 40 K revealed a statistically significant variation (p-value < 0.0001 and t-value = 20.72). The average 40 K accumulation in plants was 101.58 ± 12.64 Bq/kg, whereas in fish it was 12.22 ± 5.14 Bq/kg. The substantial variation in means implies that 40 K accumulates significantly more in plants than in fish, which might imply that plants are more successful at absorbing this element than fish. The T-test helped assess if the differences in radioactive element accumulation between live organisms were statistically significant. The findings are consistent with the study's overall conclusions, which show that variations in radioactive element accumulation are impacted by the nature of the organisms and their environmental interactions. The significant differences in 232 Th and 40 K accumulation are essential for understanding how these elements traverse the food chain, emphasizing the variation in their bioaccumulation across different organisms. These findings reveal information on how radioactive elements accumulate in organisms while highlighting variations between plants and fish. The statistical analysis using the T-test assisted in clarifying the statistical variations between the living organisms in the researched locations and allowed for enhanced comprehension of radioactive element transmission via the food chain in the studied environment. This investigation helps to understand how radiation moves through the food chain and allows for accurate environmental recommendations on radioactive hazards in the investigated locations. 3.3.2. Bioaccumulation factor of radioactive elements in living organisms The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) between living organisms in an environment is critical to understanding how radioactive elements move down the food chain. This ratio is calculated using the following equation [ 15 ]: $$\:\text{B}\text{A}\text{F}=\frac{\text{E}\text{l}\text{e}\text{m}\text{e}\text{n}\text{t}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{n}\text{c}\text{e}\text{n}\text{t}\text{r}\text{a}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\text{s}\:\text{i}\text{n}\:\text{f}\text{i}\text{s}\text{h}}{\text{E}\text{l}\text{e}\text{m}\text{e}\text{n}\text{t}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{n}\text{c}\text{e}\text{n}\text{t}\text{r}\text{a}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\text{s}\:\text{i}\text{n}\:\text{p}\text{l}\text{a}\text{n}\text{t}\text{s}}$$ This ratio indicates a fish's ability to absorb and accumulate radioactive elements compared to plants. In addition to the numerical analysis given in Table 6 , a graphical depiction of these findings is included in Fig. 8 . The graphical depiction is made up of two overlapping plots: the first is a bar chart displaying the BAF at each location, and the second is a line plot overlay displaying the average BAF for each element across all locations. Table 6 BAF Ratios of Radioactive Elements in Fish and Plants Sites 226 Ra 232 Th 40 K 1 0.69 0.208 0.162 2 0.72 0.102 0.125 3 0.74 0.14 0.161 4 0.67 0.12 0.157 5 0.68 0.094 0.125 6 0.82 0.028 0.0744 7 0.93 0.033 0.092 8 0.47 0.017 0.073 9 0.85 0.098 0.127 10 0.96 0.035 0.069 Mean 0.74 0.098 0.12 The accumulation of radionuclides in aquatic ecosystems has serious consequences for biodiversity, especially in aquatic environments. The results of the bioaccumulation investigation, which assessed the concentrations of these elements in both fish and plants, emphasize organisms' varying ability to collect these radioactive contaminants, particularly near regions of heavy sedimentation, such as those surrounding the High Dam. For 226 Ra, the BAF in fish varied significantly, ranging from 0.47 to 0.96, indicating that fish accumulate 226 Ra more effectively than plants. This is particularly true for sedimentation areas near the High Dam, where sediment deposition and human activity increase the bioavailability of 226 Ra. These locations have greater concentrations of 226 Ra due to their strong interaction with fine sediment particles. The fish's ability to absorb radioactive substances from water and sediment allows 226 Ra to go up the food chain, magnifying its influence on the ecosystem. Fish accumulate increased amounts of 226 Ra, which can have an impact on their health and survival, altering the food chain and, eventually, harming aquatic biodiversity. The accumulation of 232 Th in fish and plants was significantly lower, as evidenced by a BAF ranging from 0.016 to 0.208. Thorium's significant affinity for sediments decreases its bioavailability and inhibits its accumulation in aquatic organisms. Despite its closeness to the High Dam, 232 Th is primarily limited to sediments, reducing its influence on the environment. This restricted bioaccumulation decreases the immediate biological risk, but it does not remove the possibility of environmental disturbance. In contrast, 40 K exhibited considerable bioaccumulation, with BAF values ranging from 0.068 to 0.16. Its critical involvement in cellular functions makes it more physiologically accessible across locations, although increased accumulation near the High Dam shows an interaction between biological processes and environmental conditions. While 40 K is essential for aquatic organisms, its high concentrations near sedimentation sites demonstrate how human activity and natural processes combine to alter element distribution, potentially affecting local biodiversity. The bioaccumulation of these elements in ecosystems has serious consequences for the environment. Fish's health suffers when they acquire radioactive substances, which may have an impact on their reproductive ability, growth, and illness resistance. These consequences extend up the food chain since radiation exposes carnivores that ingest contaminated fish, potentially leading to population declines and disrupting the aquatic ecosystem's equilibrium. Furthermore, plants that absorb radioactive contaminants may endure stunted development and poor health, endangering food sources for herbivores and other organisms that rely on plants for survival. In terms of total biodiversity, the presence of radioactive elements in the environment might reduce species’ variety. Because certain species are unable to flourish in contaminated ecosystems, their populations decline, disrupting the ecological balance. The long-term repercussions might include a decline in the number of aquatic organisms, resulting in a less resilient environment. To summarize, the bioaccumulation of radioactive elements in aquatic organisms is an essential issue for biodiversity. Statistics indicate that locations with increased sediment accumulation, notably near the High Dam, have higher concentrations of radioactive elements in living ecosystems, which impacts the whole ecosystem. The findings highlight the necessity of continual monitoring and mitigating techniques for protecting biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem health. 3.4. 222 Rn Emission from sediments The measurement of 222 Rn emissions from sediments in Naser Lake is an important step toward understanding the environmental impact of radiation in locations around lakes and dams. 222 Rn is a radioactive gas produced by the accumulation of radioactive 226 Ra in sediments [ 4 ], and it has serious health and environmental consequences [ 10 ], particularly in locations where sediments accumulate near dams and areas with considerable human activity. The correlation between the concentrations of the radioactive elements and their effect on the surrounding environment may be understood by examining the association with the 222 Rn emission. The correlation investigated between 222 Rn emission in sediments and radioactive element concentrations revealed significant and unambiguous associations, demonstrating that these elements have a direct influence on 222 Rn emission. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between 226 Ra and 222 Rn emission, with a Pearson correlation value of 0.913. This indicates that higher levels of 226 Ra in sediments have a major impact on 222 Rn emissions. Because 226 Ra is the primary source of 222 Rn in the environment, a direct relationship between 226 Ra and 222 Rn emission makes it logical. This finding shows that locations around the High Dam, which have a high level of 226 Ra owing to sediment accumulation, would have significant increases in 222 Rn emission, as seen in Fig. 1 . The findings for 232 Th revealed a 0.955 correlation with 222 Rn emission, indicating that it has a considerable influence on 222 Rn emission in sediments. Although 232 Th does not directly decay into 222 Rn, its presence in sediments increases its propensity to release 222 Rn. 232 Th aids in the transportation of 222 Rn in the environment, especially in places with high levels of this element. The results indicated a significant correlation (0.954) between 40 K and 222 Rn emission. Although 40 K is not a direct source of 222 Rn, the correlation indicates interactions with other minerals in the environment that contain radioactive elements, which may lead to increased 222 Rn emissions. 40 K, an essential substance in rocks and minerals, helps to enhance radiation processes in these sediments. Based on these findings, it is possible to deduce that the concentrations of 226 Ra and 232 Th, the primary sources of this radioactive gas, have the greatest impact on 222 Rn emission from sediments. Sediment locations with high levels of these elements, such as those near the High Dam, will see an increase in 222 Rn emission rates. These findings underscore the necessity of investigating 222 Rn emissions in these locations since 222 Rn is a critical factor that may influence human health and the environment, demanding constant monitoring of these radioactive elements and the adoption of risk-mitigation strategies. 3.5. Health risk analysis associated with radiation exposure through fish consumption Nasser Lake, Egypt's largest reservoir, is an important source of fish for the country as well as an important supply of fresh water for agriculture, drinking, and other human activities. While the presence of radioactive materials in the aquatic environment is a source of worry, that section concentrates on assessing the possible health hazards linked with their accumulation in Nasser Lake's fish. The radiation doses humans may be exposed to by eating fish containing radioactive substances are determined. It is crucial to highlight that we did not address radiation doses in water since water goes through multiple processes of purification and desalination, which considerably reduces its radioactive content before it is utilized for drinking, irrigation, or other human activities. To calculate radiation doses from consuming fish, an equation was developed that connects the concentrations of each radioactive element in the fish to its associated dose conversion factor [ 16 ] [ 6 ]. The equation applied is: $$\:\text{D}\text{o}\text{s}\text{e}\:({\mu\:}\text{S}\text{v}/\text{y})=\sum\:\left(\text{E}\text{l}\text{e}\text{m}\text{e}\text{n}\text{t}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{n}\text{c}\text{e}\text{n}\text{t}\text{r}\text{a}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\text{s}\:\text{i}\text{n}\:\text{f}\text{i}\text{s}\text{h}\:\right(\text{B}\text{q}/\text{k}\text{g})\times\:\text{D}\text{o}\text{s}\text{e}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{n}\text{v}\text{e}\text{r}\text{s}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\:\text{f}\text{a}\text{c}\text{t}\text{o}\text{r}\:({\mu\:}\text{S}\text{v}/\text{B}\text{q})\times\:\text{A}\text{n}\text{n}\text{u}\text{a}\text{l}\:\text{c}\text{o}\text{n}\text{s}\text{u}\text{m}\text{p}\text{t}\text{i}\text{o}\text{n}\:\text{r}\text{a}\text{t}\text{e}\:(\text{k}\text{g}/\text{y}\left)\right)$$ The calculations used three principal radioactive elements: 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K, with dose conversion factors of \(\:2.8\times\:{10}^{-7}\) µSv/Bq for 226 Ra, \(\:2.3\times\:{10}^{-7}\) µSv/Bq for 232 Th, and \(\:6.2\times\:{10}^{-9}\) µSv/Bq for 40 K [ 17 ]. According to government projections, an adult in Egypt consumes 20 kilograms of fish each year. Table 7 shows that radiation doses vary between locations based on their proximity to the High Dam. Statistics show that places closer to the High Dam get higher radiation doses, indicating a considerable deposit of radioactive materials in the sediments. Radiation doses fluctuated from 6.435 µSv/y near the High Dam to 1.221 µSv/y and 3.986 µSv/y at further out locations. Table 7 Radiation doses (µSv/y) for adults resulting from the accumulation of radioactive elements in fish from different locations in Nasser Lake Sites 226 Ra 232 Th 40 K Total 1 2.912 1.196 2.327 6.435 2 1.904 0.460 1.622 3.986 3 2.856 0.782 2.283 5.921 4 2.408 0.598 2.222 5.228 5 2.016 0.460 1.681 4.157 6 1.008 0.092 0.768 1.868 7 1.568 0.138 1.140 2.846 8 0.448 0.046 0.727 1.221 9 1.624 0.414 1.600 3.638 10 1.344 0.138 0.786 2.268 To further clarify these findings, a graphical representation in Fig. 9 was included that shows the distribution of radiation doses across the sample locations. The graph clearly shows an increase in doses in locations around the High Dam, which is consistent with earlier research suggesting a higher accumulation of radioactive elements in sediment areas near the High Dam. While the calculated radiation doses are low in comparison to the reference values set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which states that the maximum annual radiation dose from food consumption should not exceed 100 µSv/y [ 18 ], long-term consumption of fish may lead to radiation dose accumulation over time. Thus, continuous surveillance of radiation doses is required to determine the possible health concerns among individuals who consume Nasser Lake fish on a regular basis. This study sought to investigate the distribution and accumulation of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake, as well as the possible health concerns connected with humans eating fish contaminated with these elements. The study comprised a thorough examination of radioactive element concentrations in diverse aquatic ecosystems, including water, sediments, plants, and fish, at different locations around Naser Lake. The use of statistical techniques was an important aspect of the study since it helped us understand the information being collected. Methods such as spatial distribution analysis, correlation analysis, variance analysis, and multivariate analysis shed light on the correlations between radioactive elements and their distribution in different ecosystems. The implementation of these statistical techniques allowed us a more accurate understanding of these elements' activity across Naser Lake, as well as their potential influence on aquatic life and human health. The study discovered that the majority of the radiation doses that people may be exposed to through fish intake fell under international safety guidelines. However, locations near the High Dam have higher levels of contamination, indicating possible long-term hazards. This emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and more investigation to better understand the cumulative effects of radiation exposure over time. In closing, the study sheds light on the behavior of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake, emphasizing the importance of statistical analysis in drawing meaningful conclusions from complicated environmental data. While the findings are helpful, more research is needed to build on them and guarantee full risk assessments for radiation exposure in the region. Conclusion This study offers a comprehensive examination of radioactive contaminants' distribution and behavior in Nasser Lake, Egypt, with a focus on their environmental and biological impacts. The findings reveal substantial concentrations of radioactive elements such as Radium-226 ( 226 Ra), Thorium-232 ( 232 Th), and Potasium-40 ( 40 K) in aquatic ecosystems, particularly sediments, which impact radiation distribution throughout Naser Lake. The analysis of spatial distribution and correlation between different aquatic ecosystems, such as water, sediments, plants, and fish, indicates significant correlations between radioactive elements, particularly 226 Ra and 232 Th, and radon ( 222 Rn) emission from sediment. The findings indicate that sedimentation near the High Dam has higher levels of radioactive elements, resulting in higher radiation doses to fish and other aquatic organisms. However, radiation doses from fish intake fall under international safety guidelines, while long-term exposure may pose health hazards. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of ongoing monitoring of radioactive substances and 222 Rn emissions, which might have long-term environmental and human health concerns. It also highlights the importance of future studies into the cumulative effects of radiation exposure on both the marine ecosystem and human populations that rely on Nasser Lake's fish. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of continued environmental examinations and risk-management strategies to address radioactive contamination in Nasser Lake, maintaining the safety of aquatic life and public health. Declarations Author Contribution Conceptualization, K.A. and S.H.; Methodology, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Software, K.A.; Verification, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Formal Analysis, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Investigation, K.A. and S.H.; Data Curation, K.A.; Writing – Original Draft, K.A., A.A.; Writing – Review and Editing, K.A., S.H., A.A., and A.T.; Visualization, K.A.Supervision, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Project Administration, K.A., A.A., and S.H. Data Availability All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article. Additional data or data files are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. References Gamal & ElShabrawy Ecological Basis for Nasser Lake Ecosystem (‎ LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2014). Radwan, G. & Abd Ellah Water resources in Egypt and their challenges, Nasser Lake case study. Egypt J. Aquat. Res. 46 (1), 1–12 (2020). World Health Organization (WHO). Ionizing radiation and health effects (World Health Organization, 2023). Beneš, P., Borovec, Z. & Strejc, P. Interaction of radium with freshwater sediments and their mineral components. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 98 (1), 91–103 (1986). Poinssot, C. & Geckeis, H. Radionuclide behaviour in the natural environment: an overview, in Environmental Remediation and Restoration of Contaminated Nuclear and Norm Sites, (ed Velzen, L.) Woodhead Publishing, 57–82. (2015). Din, K. S. & Ali, K. Shaban Harb & Abdel Baset Abbady, Natural radionuclides in groundwater from Qena governorate. Egypt. Environ. Forensics . 22 (1–2), 48–55 (2021). Conklin, J. R. & Alfred, R. Field Sampling: Principles and Practices in Environmental Analysis (CRC, 2004). Glenn, F., Knoll & United States of America. Radiation Detection and Measurement 4 edn p. 857 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010). Shaban Harb, N. K. & Sahar, E. Effect of Grain Size on the Radon Exhalation Rate and Emanation Coefficient of Soil, Phosphate and Building Material Samples. J. Nuclear Part. Phys. 6 (4), 80–87 (2016). Din, K. S. & Ali, K. Abdel Baset Abbady, Measurement of 222-Rn concentration levels in drinking water samples from Qena city (Egypt) and evaluation of the annual effective doses. Int. J. Radiation Res. 18 (2), 227–233 (2020). Ghada Salaheldin, M. Elhaddad & Essam Sidique, Radon concentration and exhalation rate for granitic rocks, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Arab. J. Geosci. , 15 , 13, (2022). Ashraf, E., Khater, Yasser, Y., Ebaid, Sayed, A. & El-Mongy Distribution pattern of natural radionuclides in Nasser Lake bottom sediments. Int. Congr. Ser. 1276 , 405–406 (2005). Taleb, A. A. Abd El-Baset Abbady & Shaban. Harb, Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Level in Shore Sediment Samples From Nasser Lake at Aswan, Egypt. Int. J. Biomedical Eng. Sci. , 6 , 1, (2019). Noha & Imam Seliem Mahmoud El-Sayed & Mohamed El-Sherif Goher, Risk assessments and spatial distributions of natural radioactivity and heavy metals in Nasser Lake, Egypt. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 27 , 25475–25493 (2020). Ahmad Saat, N. M. & Isak Zaini Hamzah, Ab Khalik Wood & Ahmad Saat, Study of Radionuclide Linkages Between Fish, Water and Sediment in Former Tin Mining Lake in Kampung Gajah, Perak, Malaysia. Malaysian J. Anal. Sci. 18 (1), 170–177 (2014). Barescut, J. C. et al. Biological transfer of radionuclides in marine environments - identifying and filling knowledge gaps for environmental impact assessments, Radioprotection , vol. 10, no. S1, pp. S533-S539, (2005). UNSCEAR, Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. UNSCEAR 1993 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes (United Nations, 1993). Environmental, P. A. Radon: Risk and Regulation, Environmental Protection Agency-U.S., n.d. [Online]. Available: https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 18 Jul, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 12 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 11 May, 2025 Reviews received at journal 07 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 May, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Apr, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 30 Apr, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 30 Apr, 2025 Editor invited by journal 30 Apr, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 28 Apr, 2025 First submitted to journal 18 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6480858","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":451087126,"identity":"3d7263b2-890d-4fd6-85dd-5a3111333309","order_by":0,"name":"Khaled Ali","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABE0lEQVRIie3PMUvEMBTA8RcC6ZLTNaVy+QopglOlfpSUG2654aauHhxkOuhaUL/D3eLcUnDs3LFyq0LgloIKxuNEh6Zym3D5T+HBL8kDcLn+YYwBKoAAnGFcAIjDmA4T2BOCiTyWABU/4yHi3y3bQqfAiUd3uptDLBqJ2lcFY37TT4KLJ1HmNYQKjx79lYBk3UgcPii4DIt+MmZSVCMF6Itgs4v0c0kCM0k2CxuZ6upDQaww3e4MiQ3x3gy5tZGAzUSFzJ2GQGAIypgk2BDJbevns3m5qtlEYXJldmFJRp+X/n3NwrWFsGa6abs0us7Oq63u3qOYeJNSv6QR55aPfcvfB7TYH0QxSPr64xWXy+U6nT4BmTtPmYayokgAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"South Valley University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Khaled","middleName":"","lastName":"Ali","suffix":""},{"id":451087127,"identity":"94b41b60-2fe3-490d-b4d1-13b8f16acd58","order_by":1,"name":"Abd El-Baset Abbady","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"South Valley University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abd","middleName":"El-Baset","lastName":"Abbady","suffix":""},{"id":451087130,"identity":"46784bae-8158-4944-ae60-3d07ad7c76a0","order_by":2,"name":"Ahmed Abu-Taleb","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"South Valley University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"","lastName":"Abu-Taleb","suffix":""},{"id":451087131,"identity":"79915da5-99f2-46ff-aad1-cf471fd9cc2e","order_by":3,"name":"Shaban Harb","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"South Valley University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shaban","middleName":"","lastName":"Harb","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-18 18:23:06","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6480858/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6480858/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09342-y","type":"published","date":"2025-07-18T16:05:18+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":82084926,"identity":"27d67774-c8eb-48c0-9a9d-ff00a83a5c09","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":619705,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a~d) shows the spatial distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake over sediment.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/4466018a257c6173cb5cde3f.png"},{"id":82084931,"identity":"41d1eb0a-bc66-4d69-b599-19ff0f7e3eb9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":264833,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a~c): Spatial distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake across water\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/a31eb81d2cba21e5f1d13d57.png"},{"id":82086057,"identity":"e9b21d50-ba7e-4d5a-876b-30c57c1524ec","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:09:33","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":268229,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a~c): Spatial distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake across plants\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/5af3b5ff38ad8f04186f7501.png"},{"id":82084936,"identity":"2f054556-2395-481b-9c68-7eac90055ad7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":272402,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a~c): Spatial distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake across fish\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/5c55fb4919d7d34c81deb8f4.png"},{"id":82086056,"identity":"8c7465aa-7fa1-43e9-b108-76dc1436a392","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:09:33","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":89552,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe distribution of radioactive element concentrations in the aquatic ecosystems of Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/6d613add97862c2be0096cdf.png"},{"id":82084927,"identity":"064fbd83-942d-4f61-8b0d-6bf6f98fb0dd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":17159,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eA grouped bar chart (log2 scale) displaying the average concentrations of radioactive elements in the aquatic ecosystems of Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/751c9233f00d6befd03a04bf.png"},{"id":82084933,"identity":"abfcdffa-0cdc-451f-98e4-f632838e6ad4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":12175,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePCA plot of PCs vs. eigenvalue for radioactive elements in Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/2c3b4740b9799803b6ac5f66.png"},{"id":82084929,"identity":"0c8d6548-33d3-49c7-947c-94f9915a6a00","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":17557,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBioaccumulation of radioactive elements in fish and plants across different sites in Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/de8a0a721d7e0dd746d922f7.png"},{"id":82084940,"identity":"09c35005-e937-4ded-a825-280f55d759d4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-06 15:01:33","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":22779,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSpline connected chart (log2 scale) of radiation doses in Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/e6fa125095ed06a32b6f92ac.png"},{"id":88506037,"identity":"a66ecf5c-56ce-4fa8-8aab-8a158f7d0bfc","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:29:51","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2823355,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6480858/v1/1f6544d8-b4aa-472e-bc24-85072fc467b4.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Study of Radioactive Substance Transfer in Nasser Lake: Analysis of Environmental and Biological Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAfter the High Dam's construction in Aswan, Egypt, Nasser Lake, a man-made lake, was formed and is considered to be one of the largest lakes in the world. It provides abundant freshwater and a mixed array of aquatic plants, fish, and wildlife [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. In addition, the lake serves a purpose for nearby communities that rely on it for farming and fishing activities [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. However, there have been issues rising with the growing pollution, including radioactive contamination, from agricultural, industrial, and environmental activities around the lake, not just affecting the aquatic ecosystem but also threatening the human health of populations. Aquatic plants, fish, sediments, and lake water all naturally contain radioactive elements that can be dangerous in excessive amounts as well. Radium-226 (\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa), Thorium-232 (\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh), and Potassium-40 (\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK), to name a few, are naturally found in soil and water and are a few of the radioactive elements that can be found in these living organisms, such as fish and plants [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Plants absorb radioactive elements from the soil through their roots or from dissolved substances in water. Fish, in turn, come into contact with these radioactive elements through the ingestion of water or through the consumption of plants or other organisms that contain them. Furthermore, radon gas (\u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn) emission from sediments is another source of radiation in the aquatic ecosystems (sediments, water, aquatic plants, and fish) in the lake environment [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. The study intends to look at how radioactive elements transfer and accumulate in Nasser Lake's ecosystem by analyzing their concentrations in the water, sediments, aquatic plants, and fish [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. The study looks to include measurements of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions from sediments to gain profound insight into the mechanisms of movement of these contaminants in the environment. The major focus of this study is to investigate the effect of these radioactive elements on the health of living organisms in the ecosystem. Moreover, the study will also address the potential threat posed by the bioaccumulation of these elements in fish and aquatic plants, which are essential in the local food chain. The study will employ comprehensive analytical techniques, gamma spectroscopy, and an ionization chamber to measure the levels of these elements in the different media and their transport in the ecosystem. This study is of strategic importance since it aids in improving the environmental knowledge of the situation in Nasser Lake and emphasizes the health aspect of this important ecosystem. Additionally, the results of this study aid in planning activities that are vital in averting radioactive risks in water bodies and ensuring that the environment and health of people within the environment are protected.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Experimental Study","content":"\u003cp\u003eTo stand for the environmental diversity of Naser Lake, samples were collected from ten carefully chosen locations along the area throughout southern Egypt. These locations were selected to ensure thorough coverage by capturing differences in geological and ecological traits. For correct cross-comparisons, ten samples of each type (water, aquatic plants, fish, and shore sediments) were collected from each site. To guarantee precision and repeatability, sampling locations were recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS). To prevent contamination or evaporation, water samples were collected in Marinelli beakers that were appropriate for gamma spectroscopy measurements of radioactivity and transported to the lab under controlled conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. To guarantee that the fish samples appropriately reflected the aquatic ecosystems, they were gathered from surrounding local fishermen for each site. Using specialist equipment, the fish, which weighed between 0.5 and 1 kg, were washed, dried, and prepared for analysis. The aquatic plants were collected from the same sites, cleaned of impurities using deionized water, dried at controlled temperatures, and powdered into fine particles for storage in Marinelli beakers. Stones and other debris were manually removed from shorelines that were 5\u0026ndash;10 meters from the water's edge to obtain sediment samples. To guarantee homogeneity, the sediments were ground into fine powders, dried at 105\u0026deg;C for at least 24 hours, and then carefully combined. The quartering method was used to obtain the subsamples, which were subsequently stored in sealed Marinelli beakers. To guarantee radioactive equilibrium between long-lived isotopes, like \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa and \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh, and their short-lived offspring, the prepared samples had the opportunity to equilibrate for 28 days [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. This allowed for precise and trustworthy measurements [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Radioactive isotopes were analyzed by gamma spectrometry employing a sodium iodide scintillation detector doped with thallium, NaI(Tl) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Activity concentrations of the radioactive elements have been calculated using the count rate, emission probabilities, quantity of samples, and detector efficiency in this system, which improved detection accuracy and efficiency [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. The photopeak\u0026rsquo;s that corresponded to each isotope were found via spectral analysis. With a combination of AquaKIT equipment along with the ionization chamber AlphaGUARD PQ2000PRO, radon exhalation rates (\u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRnex) were measured [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. Background measurements were conducted after the system was flushed with air to adjust baseline \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn levels in line with ambient concentrations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. To eliminate \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn from the samples, they were set in a degassing vessel that was connected to the AquaKIT system. Air was pumped through the vessel at a rate of 0.3 L/minute. After air pumping stopped, the detector recorded \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn levels for 20 minutes in the flow mode. To guarantee dependability, the procedure was carried out three times for every sample [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. The findings offer valuable insights into the effects of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake on the environment and human health. They set up a robust baseline for evaluating the spatial distribution of radionuclides and the associated risks of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn exposure. The findings back up environmental risk assessments and guide the development of effective strategies to mitigate potential impacts on public health.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results and Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1. Spatial distribution analysis of radioactive elements\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe spatial distribution analysis using ArcGIS of the radioactive elements in Nasser Lake, based on the associated data in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, clearly shows the significant influence of the High Dam on the distribution of these radionuclides. Furthermore, the geological structure of the lake needs to be considered, as the characteristics of the rocks and sediments directly affect the accumulation and distribution of radionuclides. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e-a shows a noticeable spatial distribution of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn\u003csub\u003eex\u003c/sub\u003e from the sediments, with the highest concentrations of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn\u003csub\u003eex\u003c/sub\u003e measured near the High Dame at site 1 (23°58'11\"N 32°55'18\"E) measuring 32.36 ± 5.68 Bq/m³. Conversely, other locations south of the lake showed lower rates, including site 8 (22°21'46.67\"N 31°47'12.66\"E), which showed 10.16 ± 3.19 Bq/m³. \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn concentrations tend to increase in areas near the High Dam due to sediment accumulation upstream. The dam prevents sediment flow into the Nile River, causing silt and heavy minerals to settle in this region. Studies show that these sediments, enriched by the geological characteristics of the surrounding area, contain notable concentrations of uranium. The Nile River carries heavy minerals, including uranium, from upstream regions, which accumulate in Nasser Lake due to the dam's role in keeping sediment [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, the sedimentary rocks surrounding the lake, known for their uranium content, contribute to this enrichment [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. While uranium concentrations in the area differ depending on location and sediment type, they are generally within natural distributions, showing the interaction of hydrological and geological processes. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e-b depicts the distribution of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in sediments, with higher concentrations seen near the High Dam. Site 1 had a \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa concentration of 10.99 ± 0.42 Bq/kg, while site 8 in the south had a significantly lower concentration of 1.92 ± 0.08 Bq/kg. Such discrepancies show the considerable impact of the geological structure, where accumulations of sediment rich in radioactive elements near the High Dam result in increasing concentrations. Locations with uranium-rich rocks contribute to increased concentrations of these elements. As displayed in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e-c, \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh concentrations are significantly higher in locations closest to the High Dam. At site 1, the concentration was 23.94 ± 1.91 Bq/kg, while site 8 recorded just 5.62 ± 0.28 Bq/kg. The spatial distribution of \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK is similar to Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e-d, with higher concentrations at site 1 (277.38 ± 23.86 Bq/kg) than at site 8, which recorded 123.27 ± 10.61 Bq/kg. These findings confirm that the High Dam region is a hotspot for the accumulation of these radionuclides in sediments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoving on to the water samples and the spatial distribution of radioactive elements presented in Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026lt;link rid=\"fig2\"\u0026gt;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u0026lt;/link\u0026gt;\u003c/span\u003e-a to \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e-c, the influence of the High Dam on radioactive element concentrations in the water is clear. For instance, Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e-a shows that site 1 had the highest concentrations of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in the water (1.28 ± 0.06 Bq/kg) compared to other sites. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e-b of the \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh spatial distribution in water and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e-c of the \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK spatial distribution in water show a parallel pattern, with concentrations considerably higher near the High Dam. These phenomena can be explained by the leaching of radionuclides from sediments into the water induced by the lake's currents. In terms of plants, as shown in the spatial distribution in Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026lt;link rid=\"fig3\"\u0026gt;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u0026lt;/link\u0026gt;\u003c/span\u003e-a to \u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e-c, radioactive substance accumulation in plants is strongly correlated with geographic location. The concentrations are higher near the High Dam. For example, site 1 recorded 0.75 ± 0.04 Bq/kg of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa; however, other sites showed lower concentrations. It shows that plants absorb radioactive elements more readily in places with higher concentrations in sediments and water. In the case of fish (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u0026lt;link rid=\"fig4\"\u0026gt;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u0026lt;/link\u0026gt;\u003c/span\u003e-a to \u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e-b), radioactive substance concentrations are similarly higher close to the High Dam. The fish at site 1 had the highest \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa content (0.52 ± 0.026 Bq/kg), followed by \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh (0.26 ± 0.02 Bq/kg) and \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK (18.77 ± 1.61 Bq/kg). These findings confirm the hypothesis that radioactive elements are transferred via the food chain, with radionuclides accumulating in fish due to their presence in water and plants. Given the geological impacts of the High Dam, it is obvious that Nasser Lake's geological structure has a major effect on radionuclide distribution. The region's sedimentary rocks, rich in uranium and other radioactive elements, together with the movement of water induced by the High Dam, play a key role in the accumulation of these elements in water, plants, and fish. As a result, the distribution of radioactive elements is not uniform, with concentrations higher near the High Dam and progressively decreasing as distance from it increases.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c14\" colnum=\"14\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\"±\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c15\" colnum=\"15\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn\u003csub\u003e\u003cem\u003eex\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sub\u003e (Bq/m\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e) from sediment, and the radioactive element concentrations (Bq/kg) from sediment, water, plants, and fish from Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"15\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSites\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoordinates\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c9\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c15\" namest=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn\u003csub\u003eex\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23°58'11\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°55'18\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.36 ± 5.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.99 ± 0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.94 ± 1.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e277.38 ± 23.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.28 ± 0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96 ± 0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.57 ± 1.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.75 ± 0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.25 ± 0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e115.84 ± 9.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52 ± 0.026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.26 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.77 ± 1.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23°08'37\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°51'34\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.32 ± 4.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.42 ± 0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.26 ± 0.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e195.05 ± 16.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.62 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3 ± 0.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98 ± 0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e104.91 ± 9.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34 ± 0.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.08 ± 1.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23°54'48\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°46'41\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.29 ± 5.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.02 ± 0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.67 ± 0.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e257.01 ± 22.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84 ± 0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.54 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.28 ± 1.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.21 ± 0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e114.54 ± 9.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.51 ± 0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.41 ± 1.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23°40'08\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°31'36\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.16 ± 5.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.45 ± 0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.77 ± 0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e245.59 ± 21.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.77 ± 0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.46 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.88 ± 1.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.64 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.07 ± 0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e114.33 ± 9.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43 ± 0.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.92 ± 1.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23°17'53\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°44'04\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.25 ± 4.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.58 ± 0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.93 ± 0.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e209.95 ± 18.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.72 ± 0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.32 ± 0.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.06 ± 0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108.29 ± 9.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36 ± 0.018\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.56 ± 1.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22°21'46.67\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e31°47'12.66\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.55 ± 3.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.46 ± 0.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.23 ± 0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e153.59 ± 11.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.26 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.58 ± 0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.22 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7 ± 0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.96 ± 6.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.18 ± 0.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02 ± 0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.19 ± 0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22°37'34\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°21'55\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.01 ± 4.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14 ± 0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.99 ± 0.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e184.03 ± 15.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.94 ± 0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.91 ± 0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.2 ± 8.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.28 ± 0.014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03 ± 0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.19 ± 0.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22°15'33\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e31°29'40\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.16 ± 3.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92 ± 0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.62 ± 0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e123.27 ± 10.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2 ± 0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9 ± 0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.6 ± 0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.57 ± 6.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08 ± 0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01 ± 0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.86 ± 0.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23°02'16\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32°35'18\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.92 ± 4.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.28 ± 0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.71 ± 0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e186.71 ± 16.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.53 ± 0.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92 ± 0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e101.28 ± 8.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29 ± 0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.9 ± 1.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22°29'08\"N\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e31°47'00\"E\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.39 ± 4.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.59 ± 0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.7 ± 0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e174.9 ± 15.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.38 ± 0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.76 ± 0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25 ± 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.86 ± 0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.92 ± 7.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.24 ± 0.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03 ± 0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\"±\" colname=\"c15\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.34 ± 0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2. Analyzing the correlation between radionuclide concentrations in aquatic ecosystems\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2.1. Correlation analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on the correlation analysis (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient) findings between radioactive element concentrations across aquatic ecosystems, the study showed strong and statistically significant correlations in the different media. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e has a correlation matrix that details the correlations between aquatic ecosystems for each radioactive element.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCorrelation Matrix of Radioactive Elements Across Aquatic Ecosystems\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment To Water\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment To Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater To Plants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater To Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants To Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.965\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.874\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.953\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.929\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.968\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.981\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.928\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.886\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.979\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.903\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.949\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.952\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.963\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.957\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe concentrations of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa exhibited an intense correlation throughout aquatic ecosystems. The relationship between sediments and water showed the highest correlation coefficient value of 0.965, reflecting the balanced presence of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in both media. Meanwhile, the correlation between sediments and plants was 0.874, showing that \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa goes from sediments to plants, albeit to a lesser level than it moves to water. When comparing water and plants, the correlation coefficient was 0.953, showing a substantial relationship between \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa concentrations in both water and plants, implying that \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in water has a definite impact on its accumulation in plants. Among the radioactive elements, \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh had the highest correlation coefficient of 0.981, showing a significant correlation between \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh concentrations in sediments and water. The correlation between water and plants was likewise robust, with a value of 0.886, showing a significant relationship between \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh concentrations in water and plants. However, the relationship between plants and fish was weaker than the other elements, with a correlation coefficient of 0.903, showing that \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh has a smaller effect on fish than its effect on plants. For \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK, the study found high relationships with other media. The correlation coefficient between sediments and water was 0.949, showing a strong correlation between \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK concentrations in sediment and water. The correlation between sediments and plants was 0.952, showing that sediments had a significant influence on \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK concentrations in plants. The plant-fish relationship was one of the strongest, with a correlation coefficient of 0.957, proving that \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK in plants can be successfully passed on to fish. Figures\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ea-\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ec show the distribution of radioactive concentrations in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on these findings, it is clear that there are considerable correlations among radioactive elements across aquatic ecosystems, implying that the abundance of these elements in the environment is heavily influenced by their concentrations in other media. It is worth noting that sediments and water typically behave as balanced media, influencing ambient quantities of radioactive elements. Plants, on the other hand, play an important role in transmitting these components from other media, particularly 40K, to fish. These findings highlight the necessity of knowing how these elements flow through the ecosystem, as well as investigating their possible environmental effects on living organisms in Nasser Lake.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2.2. Variance analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows the results of the variance analysis (ANOVA) for radioactive element concentrations in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems. The variance analysis for \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa across the aquatic ecosystems of Naser Lake found extensive and significant variation. The p-value of 1.05×10\u003csup\u003e− 9\u003c/sup\u003e showed a significant difference in \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa concentrations across aquatic environments. Furthermore, the F-statistic value of 28.96, which is beyond the critical F-value of 2.866, provided added support for the finding of significant variations. The sum of squares (SS) values revealed that the between-group variation (147.8) contributed more to the overall variance than the within-group variation (61.23), supporting the conclusion that there are significant variations in \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa concentrations among aquatic ecosystems. The Tukey HSD analysis revealed significant variations between sediments and other aquatic ecosystems. The pairwise comparisons revealed significant variations between sediments and water, plants, and fish, with Q-statistics of 10.4, 10.79, and 11.06, respectively, and p-values \u0026lt; 0.01, showing that sediments function as a primary source of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa, with significantly higher concentrations than the other media. In contrast, no significant variations were found across water, plants, and fish, showing that the \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa concentrations in these mediums are identical. This emphasizes the significance of sediments as a reservoir for \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in the Nasser Lake ecosystem, as well as the need for added research to better understand the biogeochemical processes that drive this element's transfer. The analysis for \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh also revealed significant variations among the four media. The F-statistic value of 52.79, which exceeded the critical threshold of 2.87, and the p-value of 2.92×10\u003csup\u003e− 13\u003c/sup\u003e, proved statistically significant variations between media. This reflects several reasons affecting variations in \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh concentrations. The Tukey HSD test found significant variations between sediment and other aquatic ecosystems, with p-values \u0026lt; 0.01 for all comparisons (e.g., sediment vs. water, sediment vs. plant, sediment vs. fish). However, there were no significant variations between water, plants, and fish, as seen by the high p-values (\u0026gt; 0.01). These findings show that sediments function as a primary reservoir for \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh, while \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh transport between other aquatic ecosystems, such as water, plants, and fish, is less significant. Similarly, the analysis of \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK concentrations showed significant variations among media. The F-statistics of 132.44, along with a low p-value of 1.67×10\u003csup\u003e− 19\u003c/sup\u003e, verified considerable fluctuation in \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK concentrations. The Tukey HSD test proved significant variations between sediments and water, plants, and fish (Q-statistics of 24.36, 12.56, and 23.88, respectively, with p-values \u0026lt; 0.01). It shows that \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK concentrations are significantly higher in sediments than in other media. Furthermore, there was significant variation between water and plants (Q-statistics of 11.80, p \u0026lt; 0.01), showing a large variance in \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK levels between these two mediums. There was no statistically significant variation between water and fish (Q-statistic of 0.48, p = 0.90) or between plants and fish (Q-statistic of 11.32, p \u0026lt; 0.01), suggesting that \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK levels in these media are more closely related. Lastly, the ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests prove that aquatic ecosystems have a considerable impact on radioactive element concentrations. Sediments appeared as the principal reservoir for these elements, with large transfers taking place between sediments and water, plants, and fish, notably \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa and \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh. However, at \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK, while sediments play an important role, the variations between water, plants, and fish were more subtle. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding how radioactive elements transfer through the ecosystem, as well as the necessity for more research into the consequences of these transfers on Nasser Lake's environmental health. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e displays the average radioactive element concentrations in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eResults of ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests for radioactive element concentrations across the aquatic ecosystems in Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSource of variation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDegrees of freedom\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean Squares\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF-static\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF crit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments pair\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTukey HSD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStatistic\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ep-value\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInferfence\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"11\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween Groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e147.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:1.05\\times\\:{10}^{-9}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Water\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin Groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e209.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater vs. Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8999947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8999947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8999947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"11\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween Groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1140.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e380.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:2.92\\times\\:{10}^{13}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Water\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin Groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e259.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1399.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater vs. Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8999947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8999947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8832123\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"11\" nameend=\"c11\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween Groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e247633.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82544.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:1.67{\\times\\:10}^{-19}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Water\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin Groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22436.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e623.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e270070.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSediment vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater vs. Plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.4834\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8999947\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003einsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant vs. Fish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.3194\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0010053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e** p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2.3. Multivariate Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrincipal Component Analysis (PCA) is a statistical technique for reducing dimensionality and finding the underlying elements causing variance in multivariable data. In this study, PCA was used to examine the distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake's aquatic ecosystems. This analysis is an important component of the current study since it builds on prior studies, such as ANOVA and Tukey tests, which helped reveal significant variations between the different locations in Nasser Lake. The PCA results, displayed in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, clearly reveal that the first component (PC1) accounts for 94.04% of the entire variation in the dataset. This high proportion indicates that this component has a considerable effect on the data's overall distribution. The PC1's eigenvalue is 11.28, indicating its dominance in influencing variations across sample locations. This suggests that the majority of the variation in radioactive element concentrations can be attributed to the variables included in PC1, which most likely represent primary environmental factors, such as proximity to the High Dam or sediment accumulation areas, which influence the distribution of radioactive elements in the lake. In terms of the other components, the second component (PC2) explains just 3.77% of the variation, with the following components accounting for increasingly smaller quantities. This suggests that the secondary environmental variables represented by these components have a lower influence on the distribution of radioactive elements than PC1. The third through tenth components (PC3 ~ PC10) contribute truly little to explaining the variance, further emphasizing the dominance of PC1 in the analysis, Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e. When correlating these results with the outcomes from ANOVA and Tukey tests, the PCA findings are further validated. The ANOVA and Tukey tests reveal significant variations in element concentrations across Nasser Lake locations, which are consistent with the PCA results, implying that large-scale environmental factors cause the majority of variance in radioactive element distribution. The significant proportion of variance explained by PC1 lends credence to the idea that variables such as proximity to the High Dam and the accumulation of sediment play an important role in determining the spatial distribution of these radioactive elements. The PCA findings provide helpful insight into the distribution of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake. They emphasize that the key environmental variables interact in a complicated way to influence the distribution of such elements. This analysis contributes to a better understanding of how environmental factors, particularly those related to the High Dam and the accumulation of sediments, affect the mobility and concentrations of radioactive elements in the lake ecosystem.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePCA eigenvalues and variance explanation for radioactive elements in Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePCs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEigenvalue\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage of Variance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCumulative\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.28426\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9404\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9404\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.45259\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0377\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9781\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13171\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.989\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0573\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0048\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9938\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04037\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9972\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02408\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9992\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00572\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9997\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00326\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9999\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000701\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3. Analysis of radioactive element accumulation in living organisms\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3.1. Comparative assessment of radioactive element accumulation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study of radioactive element accumulation in aquatic organisms (plants and fish) serves as essential for understanding how radioactive waste affects the environment and human health. Determining the concentrations of radioactive elements in living organisms from the same regions around Naser Lake is an important step toward understanding how these elements transfer through the food chain. These assessments assist in analyzing possible environmental concerns and identifying regions where radioactive accumulations may occur, impacting wildlife and human health. The findings of the Shapiro-Wilk test indicate that all data on radioactive element concentrations in living organisms have a normal distribution. For plants, the p-values for \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa (0.43), \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh (0.92), and \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK (0.32) are more than 0.05, confirming the hypothesis of normal distribution. For fish, the p-values for \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa (0.95), \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh (0.216), and \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK (0.13) are all more than 0.05, indicating that the data is normally distributed. These findings enable the application of statistical tests such as the T-test to compare concentrations across plants and fish across multiple sites, allowing for more precise comparisons of radioactive elements in various ecosystems. When employing the T-test to examine the accumulation of radioactive elements in living organisms, some significant variations in element concentrations arise. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e shows that \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa concentrations ranged from 0.17 ± 0.01 to 0.75 ± 0.04 Bq/kg in plants and 0.08 ± 0.004 Bq/kg to 0.52 ± 0.026 Bq/kg in fish. Given these variations, it may be important to investigate if the gap is significant enough to influence environmental findings. Plant concentrations of \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh ranged from 0.6 ± 0.03 to 1.25 ± 0.08 Bq/kg, whereas fish concentrations varied from 0.01 ± 0.001 to 0.26 ± 0.02. Plants had \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK concentrations ranging from 80.57 ± 6.93 Bq/kg to 115.84 ± 9.96 Bq/kg, whereas fish had values ranging from 5.86 ± 0.5 to 18.77 ± 1.61, indicating significant variations across living organisms. The T-test will assess if the differences in radioactive element accumulation between living organisms are statistically significant. This investigation will help us understand how radiation transfers through the food chain and allow us to make more accurate environmental recommendations about radioactive hazards in the areas under investigation. To investigate the accumulation of radioactive elements in live beings, a statistical analysis utilizing the T-test was performed to compare the accumulation of radioactive elements in living organisms from different locations. The analysis findings are shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, which contains mean values, standard deviations, t-values, and p-values that establish the significance of variations in accumulation between living organisms.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT-test Analysis for comparative assessment of radioactive element accumulation in the living organisms\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eElement\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean (Mean ± STD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003et-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.44 ± 0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.173\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInsignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96 ± 0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 0.0001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09 ± 0.078\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e101.58 ± 12.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 0.0001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFish\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.22 ± 5.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe T-test findings for \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa revealed no statistically significant variation in element accumulation between plants and fish (p-value = 0.173). This suggests that the variation in \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa accumulation among living organisms is not statistically significant. The average \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa accumulation in plants was 0.44 ± 0.21 Bq/kg, whereas in fish it was 0.32 ± 0.14 Bq/kg. Despite the modest variation in averages, the lack of significant changes implies that \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa accumulation is similar in both organisms. The T-test findings revealed a significant variation in \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh accumulation across living organisms (p-value \u0026lt; 0.0001 and t-value = 12.39). The average \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh accumulation in plants was 0.96 ± 0.21 Bq/kg, whereas in fish it was 0.09 ± 0.078 Bq/kg. These findings show that plants accumulate far larger amounts of \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh than fish, indicating a difference in the ability to absorb this element amongst aquatic organisms. The T-test findings for \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK revealed a statistically significant variation (p-value \u0026lt; 0.0001 and t-value = 20.72). The average \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK accumulation in plants was 101.58 ± 12.64 Bq/kg, whereas in fish it was 12.22 ± 5.14 Bq/kg. The substantial variation in means implies that \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK accumulates significantly more in plants than in fish, which might imply that plants are more successful at absorbing this element than fish. The T-test helped assess if the differences in radioactive element accumulation between live organisms were statistically significant. The findings are consistent with the study's overall conclusions, which show that variations in radioactive element accumulation are impacted by the nature of the organisms and their environmental interactions. The significant differences in \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh and \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK accumulation are essential for understanding how these elements traverse the food chain, emphasizing the variation in their bioaccumulation across different organisms. These findings reveal information on how radioactive elements accumulate in organisms while highlighting variations between plants and fish. The statistical analysis using the T-test assisted in clarifying the statistical variations between the living organisms in the researched locations and allowed for enhanced comprehension of radioactive element transmission via the food chain in the studied environment. This investigation helps to understand how radiation moves through the food chain and allows for accurate environmental recommendations on radioactive hazards in the investigated locations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3.2. Bioaccumulation factor of radioactive elements in living organisms\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bioaccumulation factor (BAF) between living organisms in an environment is critical to understanding how radioactive elements move down the food chain. This ratio is calculated using the following equation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\text{B}\\text{A}\\text{F}=\\frac{\\text{E}\\text{l}\\text{e}\\text{m}\\text{e}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{c}\\text{e}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\text{r}\\text{a}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{s}\\:\\text{i}\\text{n}\\:\\text{f}\\text{i}\\text{s}\\text{h}}{\\text{E}\\text{l}\\text{e}\\text{m}\\text{e}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{c}\\text{e}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\text{r}\\text{a}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{s}\\:\\text{i}\\text{n}\\:\\text{p}\\text{l}\\text{a}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\text{s}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis ratio indicates a fish's ability to absorb and accumulate radioactive elements compared to plants. In addition to the numerical analysis given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e, a graphical depiction of these findings is included in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e. The graphical depiction is made up of two overlapping plots: the first is a bar chart displaying the BAF at each location, and the second is a line plot overlay displaying the average BAF for each element across all locations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBAF Ratios of Radioactive Elements in Fish and Plants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSites\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.208\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.162\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.161\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.157\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.094\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0744\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.033\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.073\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.098\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.035\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.74\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.098\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.12\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe accumulation of radionuclides in aquatic ecosystems has serious consequences for biodiversity, especially in aquatic environments. The results of the bioaccumulation investigation, which assessed the concentrations of these elements in both fish and plants, emphasize organisms' varying ability to collect these radioactive contaminants, particularly near regions of heavy sedimentation, such as those surrounding the High Dam. For \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa, the BAF in fish varied significantly, ranging from 0.47 to 0.96, indicating that fish accumulate \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa more effectively than plants. This is particularly true for sedimentation areas near the High Dam, where sediment deposition and human activity increase the bioavailability of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa. These locations have greater concentrations of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa due to their strong interaction with fine sediment particles. The fish's ability to absorb radioactive substances from water and sediment allows \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa to go up the food chain, magnifying its influence on the ecosystem. Fish accumulate increased amounts of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa, which can have an impact on their health and survival, altering the food chain and, eventually, harming aquatic biodiversity. The accumulation of \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh in fish and plants was significantly lower, as evidenced by a BAF ranging from 0.016 to 0.208. Thorium's significant affinity for sediments decreases its bioavailability and inhibits its accumulation in aquatic organisms. Despite its closeness to the High Dam, \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh is primarily limited to sediments, reducing its influence on the environment. This restricted bioaccumulation decreases the immediate biological risk, but it does not remove the possibility of environmental disturbance. In contrast, \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK exhibited considerable bioaccumulation, with BAF values ranging from 0.068 to 0.16. Its critical involvement in cellular functions makes it more physiologically accessible across locations, although increased accumulation near the High Dam shows an interaction between biological processes and environmental conditions. While \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK is essential for aquatic organisms, its high concentrations near sedimentation sites demonstrate how human activity and natural processes combine to alter element distribution, potentially affecting local biodiversity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bioaccumulation of these elements in ecosystems has serious consequences for the environment. Fish's health suffers when they acquire radioactive substances, which may have an impact on their reproductive ability, growth, and illness resistance. These consequences extend up the food chain since radiation exposes carnivores that ingest contaminated fish, potentially leading to population declines and disrupting the aquatic ecosystem's equilibrium. Furthermore, plants that absorb radioactive contaminants may endure stunted development and poor health, endangering food sources for herbivores and other organisms that rely on plants for survival. In terms of total biodiversity, the presence of radioactive elements in the environment might reduce species’ variety. Because certain species are unable to flourish in contaminated ecosystems, their populations decline, disrupting the ecological balance. The long-term repercussions might include a decline in the number of aquatic organisms, resulting in a less resilient environment. To summarize, the bioaccumulation of radioactive elements in aquatic organisms is an essential issue for biodiversity. Statistics indicate that locations with increased sediment accumulation, notably near the High Dam, have higher concentrations of radioactive elements in living ecosystems, which impacts the whole ecosystem. The findings highlight the necessity of continual monitoring and mitigating techniques for protecting biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem health.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4. \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn Emission from sediments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe measurement of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions from sediments in Naser Lake is an important step toward understanding the environmental impact of radiation in locations around lakes and dams. \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn is a radioactive gas produced by the accumulation of radioactive \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in sediments [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e], and it has serious health and environmental consequences [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], particularly in locations where sediments accumulate near dams and areas with considerable human activity. The correlation between the concentrations of the radioactive elements and their effect on the surrounding environment may be understood by examining the association with the \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission. The correlation investigated between \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission in sediments and radioactive element concentrations revealed significant and unambiguous associations, demonstrating that these elements have a direct influence on \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa and \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission, with a Pearson correlation value of 0.913. This indicates that higher levels of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa in sediments have a major impact on \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions. Because \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa is the primary source of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn in the environment, a direct relationship between \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa and \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission makes it logical. This finding shows that locations around the High Dam, which have a high level of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa owing to sediment accumulation, would have significant increases in \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission, as seen in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The findings for \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh revealed a 0.955 correlation with \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission, indicating that it has a considerable influence on \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission in sediments. Although \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh does not directly decay into \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn, its presence in sediments increases its propensity to release \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn. \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh aids in the transportation of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn in the environment, especially in places with high levels of this element. The results indicated a significant correlation (0.954) between \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK and \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission. Although \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK is not a direct source of \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn, the correlation indicates interactions with other minerals in the environment that contain radioactive elements, which may lead to increased \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions. \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK, an essential substance in rocks and minerals, helps to enhance radiation processes in these sediments. Based on these findings, it is possible to deduce that the concentrations of \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa and \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh, the primary sources of this radioactive gas, have the greatest impact on \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission from sediments. Sediment locations with high levels of these elements, such as those near the High Dam, will see an increase in \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emission rates. These findings underscore the necessity of investigating \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions in these locations since \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn is a critical factor that may influence human health and the environment, demanding constant monitoring of these radioactive elements and the adoption of risk-mitigation strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.5. Health risk analysis associated with radiation exposure through fish consumption\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNasser Lake, Egypt's largest reservoir, is an important source of fish for the country as well as an important supply of fresh water for agriculture, drinking, and other human activities. While the presence of radioactive materials in the aquatic environment is a source of worry, that section concentrates on assessing the possible health hazards linked with their accumulation in Nasser Lake's fish. The radiation doses humans may be exposed to by eating fish containing radioactive substances are determined. It is crucial to highlight that we did not address radiation doses in water since water goes through multiple processes of purification and desalination, which considerably reduces its radioactive content before it is utilized for drinking, irrigation, or other human activities. To calculate radiation doses from consuming fish, an equation was developed that connects the concentrations of each radioactive element in the fish to its associated dose conversion factor [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e] [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe equation applied is:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:\\text{D}\\text{o}\\text{s}\\text{e}\\:({\\mu\\:}\\text{S}\\text{v}/\\text{y})=\\sum\\:\\left(\\text{E}\\text{l}\\text{e}\\text{m}\\text{e}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{c}\\text{e}\\text{n}\\text{t}\\text{r}\\text{a}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{s}\\:\\text{i}\\text{n}\\:\\text{f}\\text{i}\\text{s}\\text{h}\\:\\right(\\text{B}\\text{q}/\\text{k}\\text{g})\\times\\:\\text{D}\\text{o}\\text{s}\\text{e}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{v}\\text{e}\\text{r}\\text{s}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\:\\text{f}\\text{a}\\text{c}\\text{t}\\text{o}\\text{r}\\:({\\mu\\:}\\text{S}\\text{v}/\\text{B}\\text{q})\\times\\:\\text{A}\\text{n}\\text{n}\\text{u}\\text{a}\\text{l}\\:\\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{s}\\text{u}\\text{m}\\text{p}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\:\\text{r}\\text{a}\\text{t}\\text{e}\\:(\\text{k}\\text{g}/\\text{y}\\left)\\right)$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe calculations used three principal radioactive elements: \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa, \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh, and \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK, with dose conversion factors of \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:2.8\\times\\:{10}^{-7}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e µSv/Bq for \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa, \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:2.3\\times\\:{10}^{-7}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e µSv/Bq for \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh, and \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:6.2\\times\\:{10}^{-9}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e µSv/Bq for \u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. According to government projections, an adult in Egypt consumes 20 kilograms of fish each year. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e shows that radiation doses vary between locations based on their proximity to the High Dam. Statistics show that places closer to the High Dam get higher radiation doses, indicating a considerable deposit of radioactive materials in the sediments. Radiation doses fluctuated from 6.435 µSv/y near the High Dam to 1.221 µSv/y and 3.986 µSv/y at further out locations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRadiation doses (µSv/y) for adults resulting from the accumulation of radioactive elements in fish from different locations in Nasser Lake\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSites\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.912\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.196\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.327\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.435\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.904\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.460\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.622\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.986\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.856\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.782\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.283\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.921\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.408\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.598\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.222\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.228\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.460\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.681\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.157\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.768\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.868\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.568\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.138\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.140\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.846\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.448\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.046\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.727\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.221\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.624\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.414\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.600\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.638\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.344\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.138\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.786\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo further clarify these findings, a graphical representation in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e was included that shows the distribution of radiation doses across the sample locations. The graph clearly shows an increase in doses in locations around the High Dam, which is consistent with earlier research suggesting a higher accumulation of radioactive elements in sediment areas near the High Dam. While the calculated radiation doses are low in comparison to the reference values set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which states that the maximum annual radiation dose from food consumption should not exceed 100 µSv/y [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e], long-term consumption of fish may lead to radiation dose accumulation over time. Thus, continuous surveillance of radiation doses is required to determine the possible health concerns among individuals who consume Nasser Lake fish on a regular basis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study sought to investigate the distribution and accumulation of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake, as well as the possible health concerns connected with humans eating fish contaminated with these elements. The study comprised a thorough examination of radioactive element concentrations in diverse aquatic ecosystems, including water, sediments, plants, and fish, at different locations around Naser Lake. The use of statistical techniques was an important aspect of the study since it helped us understand the information being collected. Methods such as spatial distribution analysis, correlation analysis, variance analysis, and multivariate analysis shed light on the correlations between radioactive elements and their distribution in different ecosystems. The implementation of these statistical techniques allowed us a more accurate understanding of these elements' activity across Naser Lake, as well as their potential influence on aquatic life and human health. The study discovered that the majority of the radiation doses that people may be exposed to through fish intake fell under international safety guidelines. However, locations near the High Dam have higher levels of contamination, indicating possible long-term hazards. This emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and more investigation to better understand the cumulative effects of radiation exposure over time. In closing, the study sheds light on the behavior of radioactive elements in Nasser Lake, emphasizing the importance of statistical analysis in drawing meaningful conclusions from complicated environmental data. While the findings are helpful, more research is needed to build on them and guarantee full risk assessments for radiation exposure in the region.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study offers a comprehensive examination of radioactive contaminants' distribution and behavior in Nasser Lake, Egypt, with a focus on their environmental and biological impacts. The findings reveal substantial concentrations of radioactive elements such as Radium-226 (\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa), Thorium-232 (\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh), and Potasium-40 (\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK) in aquatic ecosystems, particularly sediments, which impact radiation distribution throughout Naser Lake. The analysis of spatial distribution and correlation between different aquatic ecosystems, such as water, sediments, plants, and fish, indicates significant correlations between radioactive elements, particularly \u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa and \u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh, and radon (\u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn) emission from sediment. The findings indicate that sedimentation near the High Dam has higher levels of radioactive elements, resulting in higher radiation doses to fish and other aquatic organisms. However, radiation doses from fish intake fall under international safety guidelines, while long-term exposure may pose health hazards. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of ongoing monitoring of radioactive substances and \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions, which might have long-term environmental and human health concerns. It also highlights the importance of future studies into the cumulative effects of radiation exposure on both the marine ecosystem and human populations that rely on Nasser Lake's fish. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of continued environmental examinations and risk-management strategies to address radioactive contamination in Nasser Lake, maintaining the safety of aquatic life and public health.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eConceptualization, K.A. and S.H.; Methodology, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Software, K.A.; Verification, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Formal Analysis, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Investigation, K.A. and S.H.; Data Curation, K.A.; Writing \u0026ndash; Original Draft, K.A., A.A.; Writing \u0026ndash; Review and Editing, K.A., S.H., A.A., and A.T.; Visualization, K.A.Supervision, K.A., A.A., and S.H.; Project Administration, K.A., A.A., and S.H.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article. Additional data or data files are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGamal \u0026amp; ElShabrawy \u003cem\u003eEcological Basis for Nasser Lake Ecosystem\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026lrm; LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRadwan, G. \u0026amp; Abd Ellah Water resources in Egypt and their challenges, Nasser Lake case study. \u003cem\u003eEgypt J. Aquat. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e46\u003c/b\u003e (1), 1\u0026ndash;12 (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorld Health Organization (WHO). \u003cem\u003eIonizing radiation and health effects\u003c/em\u003e (World Health Organization, 2023).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeneš, P., Borovec, Z. \u0026amp; Strejc, P. Interaction of radium with freshwater sediments and their mineral components. \u003cem\u003eJ. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e98\u003c/b\u003e (1), 91\u0026ndash;103 (1986).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePoinssot, C. \u0026amp; Geckeis, H. Radionuclide behaviour in the natural environment: an overview, in Environmental Remediation and Restoration of Contaminated Nuclear and Norm Sites, (ed Velzen, L.) Woodhead Publishing, 57\u0026ndash;82. (2015).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDin, K. S. \u0026amp; Ali, K. Shaban Harb \u0026amp; Abdel Baset Abbady, Natural radionuclides in groundwater from Qena governorate. \u003cem\u003eEgypt. Environ. Forensics\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cb\u003e22\u003c/b\u003e (1\u0026ndash;2), 48\u0026ndash;55 (2021).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConklin, J. R. \u0026amp; Alfred, R. \u003cem\u003eField Sampling: Principles and Practices in Environmental Analysis\u003c/em\u003e (CRC, 2004).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGlenn, F., Knoll \u0026amp; United States of America. \u003cem\u003eRadiation Detection and Measurement\u003c/em\u003e 4 edn p. 857 (John Wiley \u0026amp; Sons, Inc., 2010).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShaban Harb, N. K. \u0026amp; Sahar, E. Effect of Grain Size on the Radon Exhalation Rate and Emanation Coefficient of Soil, Phosphate and Building Material Samples. \u003cem\u003eJ. Nuclear Part. Phys.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e (4), 80\u0026ndash;87 (2016).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDin, K. S. \u0026amp; Ali, K. Abdel Baset Abbady, Measurement of 222-Rn concentration levels in drinking water samples from Qena city (Egypt) and evaluation of the annual effective doses. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Radiation Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e18\u003c/b\u003e (2), 227\u0026ndash;233 (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGhada Salaheldin, M. Elhaddad \u0026amp; Essam Sidique, Radon concentration and exhalation rate for granitic rocks, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. \u003cem\u003eArab. J. Geosci.\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cb\u003e15\u003c/b\u003e, 13, (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAshraf, E., Khater, Yasser, Y., Ebaid, Sayed, A. \u0026amp; El-Mongy Distribution pattern of natural radionuclides in Nasser Lake bottom sediments. \u003cem\u003eInt. Congr. Ser.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e1276\u003c/b\u003e, 405\u0026ndash;406 (2005).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaleb, A. A. Abd El-Baset Abbady \u0026amp; Shaban. Harb, Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Level in Shore Sediment Samples From Nasser Lake at Aswan, Egypt. \u003cem\u003eInt. J. Biomedical Eng. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e, 1, (2019).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoha \u0026amp; Imam Seliem Mahmoud El-Sayed \u0026amp; Mohamed El-Sherif Goher, Risk assessments and spatial distributions of natural radioactivity and heavy metals in Nasser Lake, Egypt. \u003cem\u003eEnviron. Sci. Pollut. Res.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e27\u003c/b\u003e, 25475\u0026ndash;25493 (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAhmad Saat, N. M. \u0026amp; Isak Zaini Hamzah, Ab Khalik Wood \u0026amp; Ahmad Saat, Study of Radionuclide Linkages Between Fish, Water and Sediment in Former Tin Mining Lake in Kampung Gajah, Perak, Malaysia. \u003cem\u003eMalaysian J. Anal. Sci.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e18\u003c/b\u003e (1), 170\u0026ndash;177 (2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarescut, J. C. et al. Biological transfer of radionuclides in marine environments - identifying and filling knowledge gaps for environmental impact assessments, \u003cem\u003eRadioprotection\u003c/em\u003e, vol. 10, no. S1, pp. S533-S539, (2005).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUNSCEAR, Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. \u003cem\u003eUNSCEAR 1993 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes\u003c/em\u003e (United Nations, 1993).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnvironmental, P. A. Radon: Risk and Regulation, Environmental Protection Agency-U.S., n.d. [Online]. Available: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Radioactive contaminants, environmental impact, radiation accumulation, fish and aquatic plants, health risks, geographic modeling with ArcGIS, radiological pollution","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6480858/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6480858/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study analyzed the transfer of radioactive elements into aquatic ecosystems in Nasser Lake, Egypt. The focus is on the concentrations of four elements\u0026mdash;Radon-222 (\u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn), Radium-226 (\u003csup\u003e226\u003c/sup\u003eRa), Thorium-232 (\u003csup\u003e232\u003c/sup\u003eTh), and Potassium-40 (\u003csup\u003e40\u003c/sup\u003eK)\u0026mdash;in sediments, water, plants, and fish gathered from a specific region around the lake. A geographic information system was employed to determine the spatial distribution of radioactivity levels around the lake and to trace the correlation between these regions and the surrounding environment. The environmental impact caused by these radioactive elements was determined and defined through various statistical techniques and analyses. The study found that higher concentrations of radioactive elements in sediments were strongly correlated with increased \u003csup\u003e222\u003c/sup\u003eRn emissions, suggesting potential health and environmental risks in areas with high sediment accumulation closer to the High Dam area. Furthermore, the correlation between the deposits of sediment and mass accumulations of radioactive elements in the living ecosystems was deduced. Likewise, it was proposed that pollution levels in these regions could pose a risk to human health. The last component of fish radioactive bioaccumulation was utilized, in part, to determine fish-based radiation doses sustained by an adult consumer. The findings showed that the radiation levels were still below international safety guidelines, but contamination observed near the High Dam due to heavy fish consumption raised concerns for the future. Such results underline the need for routine assessment of the radioactive contaminants in Nasser Lake. On the other hand, the hydrographic context of the Nasser Lake has higher contamination closer to the High Dam, and the fact that people are exposed to fish from the lake compromises the safety of individuals in the long term. The study also provides observations that will deepen our understanding of the distribution and movement of radioactive elements in the environment. To this end, it suggests that such pollutants' environmental and health impacts require further study. Such conclusions improve understanding that radioactive pollutants in Nasser Lake do exist, and in the future, humans and marine life could be influenced negatively, so they must be predicted.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Study of Radioactive Substance Transfer in Nasser Lake: Analysis of Environmental and Biological Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-06 15:01:28","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6480858/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-05-12T08:27:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-11T07:25:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-07T14:26:54+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"53966056338003257425268062903575162403","date":"2025-05-01T19:44:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"131384493806348765795343825174139466","date":"2025-04-30T22:15:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-04-30T11:47:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-04-30T11:47:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-04-30T10:48:11+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-04-28T12:31:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-04-18T18:10:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c0aeb665-fa21-49b1-b170-8a5200b4ce20","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 6th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":47993133,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences"},{"id":47993134,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Natural hazards"},{"id":47993135,"name":"Health sciences/Risk factors"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-08-07T07:11:18+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6480858","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09342-y","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2025-07-18 16:05:18","publishedOnDateReadable":"July 18th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-06 15:01:28","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-025-09342-y","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09342-y","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6480858","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6480858","identity":"rs-6480858","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}