oa Study of radioactivity levels in the marine environment along the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Qatar

Radioactivity levels in the marine environment, specifically along the EEZ of Qatar have been measured. The EEZ of Qatar encompasses numerous marine resources like fisheries, corals, mangrove swamps, extensive sea grass meadows, shrimp, oyster beds and sponge, all of which needs protection and conservation. During the last 30 years, the Gulf marine environment have been subjected to several threats, especially from the Gulf war events which exerted a great pressure on the marine environment and exposed its resources to damage. Despite the availability of scientific data on the contamination of the environment with metals and hydrocarbons, at present there is very limited information on the exposure of the Gulf environment to radioactive material. This is particularly important, especially with the increase in the number of nuclear power activated vessels visiting the Gulf, the continuous international threat for destroying the Iranian nuclear facilities and the competition between Gulf states to own nuclear facilities in the near future for peaceful use and power generation. Radionuclides have been released to the environment from a multiplicity of sources, both planned and accidental. A very large part of this project has been to collect samples from the marine environment, and measuring and analyzing them for gamma-emitting radionuclides. These samples include water filters, sediments as well as biota samples. As no similar study has been conducted previously in Qatar, the results should provide a useful baseline level for future reference and any further projects. The concentration factors are below the recommended ones by IAEA. At present there is no significant impact on human health from radioactivity point of view through consumption of marine food from the Persian Gulf. The current baseline data generated of 137Cs, 40K and other radioncuclides of interest suggested that, there is no exceptional natural or anthropogenic radionuclide concentrations found in the marine environment of Qatar. This is backed up by the comparison of the results with similar studies from other countries.