Natural and artificial radioactivity levels in sediments in Algiers bay

Natural (238U and 232Th series, 40K) and artificial (137Cs) radioactivity levels in the sediments of Algiers bay were measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. Concentrations (Bq kg−1, dry weight) have been observed to range from 10.8 to 25.0 for 238U, from 6.5 to 31.7 for 232Th, from 55.9 to 607.4 for 40K and from 0.95 to 9.5 for 137Cs. These values are discussed in terms of the facies type of the sea bottom.