Antibiotic residues in riverine environments are emerging contaminants of concern because of their persistence, ecological effects, and potential contribution to antimicrobial resistance. This study investigated the occurrence, spatial distribution, pollution status, and screening-level ecological and human-health risks of six antibiotics in the River Jhelum, Pakistan. Surface-water samples were collected from ten monitoring sites representing upstream, midstream, and downstream reaches during a post-monsoon sampling campaign. Antibiotics were quantified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with photodiode-array detection, while single-factor and comprehensive pollution indices and GIS-based spatial interpolation were applied to characterize contamination patterns. Azithromycin exhibited the highest concentration (20.30 µg/L), followed by ofloxacin (12.70 µg/L), ciprofloxacin (8.03 µg/L), linezolid (4.55 µg/L), cefixime (1.40 µg/L), and levofloxacin (0.51 µg/L). Azithromycin showed the greatest pollution burden across the monitoring sites investigated, whereas levofloxacin exhibited comparatively limited contamination. The comprehensive pollution assessment indicated substantial combined antibiotic contamination across the investigated river transect. Azithromycin produced the highest ecological risk quotient (RQ = 17.41), indicating high predicted ecological risk under the applied screening framework. Human health hazard quotients remained below unity, indicating non carcinogenic risks. These findings strengthen wastewater management, pharmaceutical discharge controls, and systematic monitoring of antibiotic residues in the River Jhelum.

Contaminated agricultural soils are conventionally treated as static pollutant repositories whose hazard state is adequately captured by total contaminant concentration, an assumption that intensifying drought regimes are rendering untenable. This review advances the concept of a climate-sensitive soil exposome, in which drought functions as a hydro-biogeochemical driver that reorganizes the bioavailability, speciation, and biological accessibility of metals, antibiotics, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and microplastics without altering their total soil inventories. By reducing porewater connectivity, concentrating solutes within disconnected microsites, and expanding the air-water interfacial area, drought can modify the spatial co-localization and interactions among pollutant classes whose mixture-level exposure potential cannot be predicted from single-contaminant assessments. At the same time, drought imposes ecological filtering on soil microbial communities, selectively enriching stress-tolerant, biofilm-forming, and resistance-bearing taxa that, in soils co-contaminated with persistent metals and antibiotic residues, disproportionately expand antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. Global evidence now associates aridity with elevated hospital-level antibiotic resistance rates (i.e., the frequency of resistant clinical isolates recorded in hospital surveillance data) across 116 countries, implicating climate-driven soil microbial filtering in public health consequences extending far beyond field boundaries. Drying-rewetting cycles emerge as periods of potentially elevated exposure, generating acute pulses of contaminants, resistant microorganisms, and resistance genes through crop uptake, contaminated dust inhalation, and post-drought hydrological export pathways that static, concentration-anchored monitoring frameworks may not fully capture. Future risk assessment should consider drought-rewetting transitions as primary sampling targets, adopt bioavailability-resolved and mixture-sensitive monitoring, and explicitly incorporate contaminated agricultural dust as a critically undercharacterized inhalation exposure route, prioritizing it as a research frontier in climate-sensitive soil exposome science.

Mitigating the volumes of Olive Mill Wastewaters(OMWs) created each year presents a substantial environmental challenge for Mediterranean countries.Even though multi-soil-layering (MSL) technologies have demonstrated effectiveness in treating different types of wastewater via affordable and energy-efficient filtration systems, existing soil mixed block (SMB) mixture compositions use traditional carbon components and metal adsorbents that have only been tested independently.Consequently, little is known about the utilization of local agro-industrial residues together with iron-based adsorbents for OMW treatment.This study addresses this gap by evaluating the performance of an MSL system (consisting of an alternation of permeable layers(made of a pozzolan) and a locally sourced, low-cost SMBs (made of 70% soil, 10% charcoal, 10% Phoenix Dactylifera and 10% iron debris))-a previously untested combination for the treatment of a 50% diluted OMW.The influence of hydraulic load rate(HLR)(200,400 and 500 L day[-1]m[-2]) on physico-chemical parameters, such as pH, turbidity, conductivity, concentrations of ammonium (NH4[+]), orthophosphates (PO4[3-]), phenolic compounds and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was studied.The 200 L day[-1] m[-2] load rate allowed the MSL to treat effectively the OMW, as the highest removal rates for NH4[+],PO4[3-], phenolic compounds and COD reached 93.42%,99.67%,96.8% and 97.41% respectively- exceeding removal rates reported for MSL systems using conventional carbon and iron amendments.An inferential statistical approach (ANOVA,Tukey HSD post-hoc testing,effect-size calculation)-not previously applied to validate MSL-OMW treatment performance-confirmed the robustness of these removal rates and identified COD as the only parameter significantly sensitive to HLR, providing quantitative design guidance for scale-up.The data revealed how SMB composition influences the geochemical retention of nutrients and phenolic compounds in the MSL, validating the SMB as an efficient barrier for controlling the human health and ecotoxicological risks associated with the disposal of untreated OMW in Mediterranean olive-growing areas.

Trace-element contamination in small floodplain water bodies can vary sharply among neighboring catchments, and regional averages may conceal individual hotspots. Water from six lakes and ponds in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska were examined during three site-wide surveys: Summer 2024, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026, yielding 18 site-campaign observations. Eleven trace elements-aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were retained after data verification, and concentrations were standardized to µg L[-1]. Site-specific exceedance ratios (ER = C/S) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) values were calculated using the study screening benchmarks. Lake Manawa had the highest mean HPI (327.13) and the highest overall mean ER (1.85), driven principally by Co (mean ER = 7.19), Pb (5.16), Mn (1.99), Al (1.94), and Cd (1.49). Among the remaining sites, Pinky's Glen had the highest mean ER (1.57), dominated by Mn (5.31), Al (3.24), and Co (3.15), whereas Steinhart Park showed elevated Mn (5.61), Co (3.05), and Al (2.59). An additive two-factor variance partition indicated that water-body identity accounted for more than 90% of variation in Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn during the sampled campaigns. The campaign accounted for 95.8% of As variation and 54.2% of Cd variation. An equal-weight score based on min-max-normalized mean HPI, exceedance frequency, and mean ER ranked Lake Manawa, Pinky's Glen, and Steinhart Park as the three highest priorities for confirmatory monitoring. A recovered physicochemical survey showed the highest mean TDS and EC at Carter Lake (264.67 mg L[-1] and 529.33 µS cm[-1]), water temperatures of 3.03-6.57 °C, and circumneutral mean pH (6.95-7.62). Because the three surveys occurred in different years, temporal comparisons and benchmark exceedances are interpreted as screening-level evidence. The findings support site- and analyte-specific confirmatory monitoring rather than pooled regional assessment.

Long-term field evidence on how trace metal speciation and bioavailability evolve during phytoremediation of legacy-contaminated soils remains scarce, limiting exposure-relevant appraisal of residual contamination. Over 55 months, this study evaluated the performance of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) across depth-stratified soil profiles (0-10, 10-30, and 30-50 cm) at the contaminated Bien Hoa Airbase, Vietnam, combining a spatial survey of surface soils (n = 53) with depth-resolved profiling (n = 13 per horizon). Modified BCR sequential extraction, plant tissue analyses and ecological risk indices (mRAC, mHQ, ECI) were applied. Cd was the dominant contaminant and the only element with bioaccumulation factors (BAF) consistently exceeding 1.0, with its BAF increasing 2.3-fold over the 40-month assessment period. Speciation was element-specific: Cd occurred predominantly in labile fractions (F1 + F2 > 68%), whereas Cr and Ni remained largely residual. Although higher relative labile fractions were observed in vetiver-treated plots, absolute bioavailable concentrations declined more rapidly with depth, a pattern consistent with rhizosphere-mediated mobilisation coupled with plant interception, although the observational field design does not allow this mechanism to be established directly. An accidental fire at month 52 removed the canopy but spared the root system; enhanced BAF and translocation factors at 55 months may reflect post-fire rejuvenation, although confirmation requires further monitoring. Ecological risk indices classified 75% of locations as non- to moderately contaminated (ECI < 4), whereas the toxicity-weighted mRAC remained high, consistent with continued rhizosphere-mediated mobilisation of the labile metal pool. These findings support managed harvest-regrowth cycling to sustain phytoextraction and show that bioavailability-based indicators, rather than total concentrations, should guide decisions on when residual contamination still warrants exposure control.

The sustainable management of livestock and plant residues is a key challenge in modern agriculture, and the recycling of organic wastes through liquid fraction of digestates (LDs) represents a promising solution within a circular bioeconomy framework. As the reuse of organic waste in agriculture gains rapid importance within the scope of circular bioeconomy, field studies that simultaneously assess the hygienic safety, organic pollutants, and pesticide residues of biogas sludge alongside its effects on water use, yield, kernel quality, soil chemistry/enzymology, and economic performance remain limited. This study evaluated the effects of LDs obtained from three different feedstocks (digestate A: poultry+poppy plant residues; digestate B: cattle+plant residues; digestate C: poultry+cattle residues) applied at doses of 10, 30, 50 and 70 t ha[-][1] (fresh matter basis) on yield and yield components, kernel quality, soil health, water productivity and economic performance on sustainable maize production under field conditions during the 2022-2023 growing season. The results showed that LDs significantly increased maize grain yield, thousand kernel weights, cob weight, and kernel yield per cob, whereas cob diameter, cob length, harvest index, crude protein, and plant height were not significantly affected. In the soil, LDs significantly increased electrical conductivity (EC), available P2O5, K2O, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B, as well as cation exchange capacity, microbial biomass carbon, microbial respiration, urease activity, and phosphatase activity, thereby improving nutrient availability and soil biological functioning. Furthermore, kernel nutrient composition was improved, with significant increases in total N, P, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, and B contents, while total Mg, Fe, Cu, and Cr remained unaffected. Water productivity (WP) and irrigation water productivity (IWP) showed numerical variation among treatments, with the highest values observed under digestate C; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Although Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157 were not detected, elevated Clostridium spp. counts indicated a potential microbiological risk, emphasizing the need for appropriate hygienization prior to agricultural use. Additionally, certain pesticide residues (e.g., permethrin) and high EC in digestate A highlight the importance of dose optimization and monitoring. Although no significant increases in exchangeable Na or potentially toxic metals were observed during the two-year field experiment, the long-term environmental fate of pesticide residues and trace metals remains uncertain, indicating that repeated LDs require continuous monitoring to ensure environmental and food safety. Overall, the findings demonstrate that LDs can be an effective organic amendment for sustainable maize production, enhancing crop productivity, soil health, and resource efficiency while supporting the transition to a circular bioeconomy. However, their safe agricultural utilization requires integrated management strategies, including optimized application rates, hygienization (e.g., thermal pasteurization), and continuous chemical and microbiological monitoring to minimize long-term environmental and public health risks.

Dissolved sulfate, a major contaminant in mining areas, is generally produced by the oxidation of sulfides by either molecular oxygen or Fe(III). Because Fe(III) oxidizes sulfides much more rapidly, it contributes more effectively to elevated SO4[2-] concentrations. This study analyzed δ[34]SSO4, δ[18]OSO4, δ[18]OH2O, and δ[2]HH2O in groundwater and surface water from the Erdenet mining region, Mongolia. The potential fraction of Fe(III) as the oxidant of pyrite was inferred based on δ[18]OSO4 and δ[18]OH2O. Theoretical and previously reported minimum fractions appear to constrain the lower range of Fe(III) contributions, whereas sulfate reduction and gypsum dissolution may reduce the apparent fractions in some samples. In addition, gypsum precipitation appears to limit the upper range of SO4[2-] concentrations, while the dissolution of efflorescent salts may increase SO4[2-] concentrations. After excluding samples potentially influenced by these processes, a positive relationship between the potential fraction of Fe(III) as the oxidant and SO4[2-] concentration remains evident. These results suggest the potential importance of Fe(III)-mediated oxidation in controlling sulfate concentrations in mining environments. Furthermore, when additional geochemical processes are appropriately accounted for, the combined use of δ[18]OSO4 and δ[18]OH2O provides a systematic framework for elucidating the mechanisms of sulfide oxidation in such environments. Additionally, variations in the relationship between the potential fraction of Fe(III) as the oxidant and SO4[2-] concentration across mining environments may provide evidence for site-specific geochemical processes, such as gypsum dissolution and sulfate reduction.

Human exposure to mercury, particularly methylmercury (MeHg), through fish consumption remains a public health concern in coastal communities. This study conducted a multi-media assessment of total mercury (THg) and MeHg in fish (n = 284; 12 species), rice (n = 50), and human hair (n = 449) collected from four urban coastal areas and one fishing community in Guangdong Province, China, to examine associations between fish consumption and mercury accumulation in human hair. Mercury levels varied markedly across matrices and study areas. The fishing community showed substantially higher THg concentrations in fish (mean: 158.9 μg/kg) and hair (mean: 3317.6 μg/kg) than urban areas, whereas rice contributed minimally to exposure. Fish mercury accumulation was associated with source, habitat, trophic level, and species identity, with marine wild, carnivorous, and neritic species showing the highest burdens. Among participants with complete demographic and dietary data (n = 207), multivariable models identified fishing occupation, older age, fish consumption frequency, and daily fish intake as key associated factors of hair THg and MeHg, explaining > 60% of variance. A region-level ecological analysis further linked regional fish mercury profiles to hair mercury burdens, though this association should be interpreted at the regional rather than individual level. Fish consumption accounted for most MeHg intake, and a substantial proportion of fishing community residents exceeded the provisional tolerable daily intake for MeHg. These findings identify exposure patterns and potentially higher-risk groups, and support targeted, species- and population-specific fish consumption advisories based on updated food-contamination and biomonitoring data in high-exposure coastal communities.

Phthalate esters (PEs), widely used as plasticizers in consumer products, are endocrine disruptors and represent a significant source of exposure for pregnant women and the fetus. This study, conducted among 198 pregnant women from middle-class backgrounds and monitored in the maternity ward in Monastir hospital (Tunisia), assessed the concentrations of several PEs in maternal and fetal biological matrices to estimate exposure levels during pregnancy. GC-MS/MS chromatographic analyses were performed on maternal samples namely, placenta, amniotic fluid, urine, and blood. Seven plasticizers, including phthalates and non-phthalates alternatives were detected namely: diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT), diisobutyl adipate (DiBA), dimethyl adipate (DMA). DEHT, was the most prevalent plasticizer despite being a "safer" alternative, with highest geometric mean concentration in urine (403.7 µg/kg), followed by placenta (318.6 µg/kg), blood (304.5 µg/kg), and amniotic fluid (275.0 µg/kg). Among phthalates, DiBP showed the highest concentrations in placental tissue (195.8 µg/kg) and urine (226.0 µg/kg), while DMP and DEP were mainly detected in amniotic fluid (128.2 and 64.8 µg/kg, respectively). Although the renal system contributes significantly to the elimination of these substances via urine, substantial amounts can cross the placental barrier and reach the fetus, thus posing a potential health risk. the findings highlight a clear maternal-fetal exposure continuum to PEs and underline the need for improved exposure control, especially for vulnerable populations, and support further evaluation of both PEs and their substitutes.

This study investigates the combined effects of geology, land use and land cover, hydrological seasonality, and disturbance history on the hydrogeochemistry of surface waters in the Paraopeba River Basin (PRB), located in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil, and forming part of the São Francisco River Basin, a region characterized by high lithological complexity and intense anthropogenic pressure. A total of 264 sites were sampled during the dry season (2022) and 262 during the rainy season (2023), allowing an integrated assessment of spatial and temporal variability. Hydrochemical facies are predominantly mixed bicarbonate, with water chemistry mainly controlled by silicate weathering. Localized deviations toward Na, Cl and SO4[2-] enriched compositions are observed in urban and industrialized areas, reflecting anthropogenic contributions that are more pronounced during the dry season. In the confluence of the Paraopeba River with the Maranhão River it is observed a major hydrogeochemical control, resulting increased concentrations of Mn, Ba, SO4[2-], Cl[-], NO3[-], and P downstream in the Paraopeba River, with persistent influence even under seasonal dilution conditions. The effects of the tailings related to the reservoir failure in Brumadinho, a municipality in central Minas Gerais, were evaluated; however, the analyzed dataset does not show a consistent downstream geochemical signature attributable to tailings remobilization. Current variability is predominantly controlled by diffuse and point-source inputs associated with land use. Geochemical reference values for Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ba, and Sr were established using the mMAD, TIF, and UTL methods within four integrated geospatial classes. The UTL method showed greater consistency in defining thresholds, approximating upper percentiles (P95-P98) or maximum values. Seasonal effects are more pronounced for Fe and Al, whereas Mn shows greater mobility in the dissolved phase. Overall, hydrogeochemical variability is primarily controlled by geology, modulated by hydrological seasonality, and intensified by anthropogenic pressure.

Biochar has emerged as a promising material for immobilizing organic contaminants in agricultural soils. This study investigated how different biochars influence the adsorption, distribution, and bioavailability of aged napropamide during 112 d of aging in sterilized typical farmland soils across China. Aging significantly enhanced napropamide adsorption, with adsorption coefficients increasing by 4-16-fold compared to freshly spiked pesticide. This enhancement was further amplified when red soil was amended with three types of biochar (0.1-1%, w/w), particularly coconut shell-derived biochar (CSC), which demonstrated superior performance. Biochar addition substantially reduced the dissolved fraction of napropamide while promoting the formation of non-extractable residues through various interaction mechanisms. The residual napropamide content in 1% CSC-treated soil remained remarkably low (0.46-1.34%) compared to 0.1% CSC treatment (2.15-5.32%). Mechanistic studies revealed that while bamboo-derived and tobacco stem-derived biochars involved both physical and chemical interactions with aged napropamide, CSC functioned predominantly through physical sequestration. Most importantly, CSC amendment substantially reduced the bioavailability of aged napropamide, as evidenced by over 85% reduction in Capsicum annuum uptake, minimal accumulation in Eisenia fetida tissues (0.05 mg/kg), and significantly decreased degradation residues by Bacillus cereus LGY06 (0.70 mg/kg). These comprehensive findings provide crucial insights into how biochar modifies the environmental behavior and reduces the ecological risk of aged pesticides in soil systems, offering valuable guidance for developing effective soil remediation strategies.

Global warming and human activities have an inconvenient impact on groundwater systems, frequent agricultural irrigation may alter the groundwater recharge and circulation. However, research on the spatio-temporal variations of groundwater recharge patterns in large irrigation districts remains insufficient. Focusing on the Yellow River South Bank Irrigation District in Inner Mongolia, this study analyzed the hydrochemical and stable isotopic compositions of canal water, river water, and groundwater during April, July and November to explored the spatio-temporal evolution of groundwater recharge pattern. The δ2H and δ18O analysis indicates that the main recharge sources of groundwater are lateral runoff, canal water, and river water. The spatial variation of isotopic compositions in three water bodies along the flow path exhibit seasonal variation. The primary recharge from upstream to downstream changes from lateral runoff (> 50%) to canal infiltration (> 50%), with a most contribution of river infiltration (> 40%) in the midstream in April (spring). Groundwater recharge is dominated by lateral runoff and river infiltration in July (summer), which is affected by precipitation (> 40%) in the downstream. Canal infiltration (> 35%) and lateral runoff (> 35%) mainly replenishes groundwater in November (autumn). Reverse hydrogeochemical modeling further validated the groundwater recharge sources. Groundwater hydrochemistry is predominantly governed by multiple mineral dissolution/precipitation, while also being influenced by seasonal variations in recharge sources. This study provides important insights for protecting vulnerable riverbank agricultural groundwater systems.

Soil heavy metal(loid) pollution in industrial cities has become an increasingly concerning issue worldwide. The contamination status, source and health risk of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb and Hg in the soils of Zibo city, a typical industrial city of China, were investigated. Results demonstrated that 2.33%, 1.16%, and 0.75% of samples exceeded the thresholds for Cu, Zn, and Cd, respectively. Cu, Zn, and Hg exhibited moderate pollution, and 1.50% of the sampling sites were classified as heavily polluted. According to the Influence Index of Comprehensive Quality (IICQ), the soil-vegetable systems in some plots of Zhangdian, Boshan, and Zichuan districts were classified as heavily contaminated. The heavily polluted areas were mainly concentrated in the central region. Source apportionment using the absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model suggested that Zn, Cd, and Pb were mainly associated with industrial emissions and traffic, Cr and Ni with natural parent material, As and Hg with agricultural activities and atmospheric deposition, and Cu with multiple sources. Monte Carlo simulation-based health risk assessment indicated that soil heavy metal(loid)s posed a tolerable risk to local residents, with As and Ni being the main contributors to local health risks. Source-oriented health risk assessment further suggested that agricultural activities and atmospheric deposition were the priority pollution sources, and arsenic should be the target heavy metal(loid) for prioritized soil management. These findings could provide technical support and scientific reference for investigating soil heavy metal(loid) pollution and safeguarding public health in industrial cities.

There is a widespread phenomenon of insufficient selenium (Se) intake globally. While Se-enriched bacterial fertilisers have shown potential for biofortification, their integrated effects on plant physiological responses, antioxidant defense, rhizosphere bacterial community assembly, and leaf transcriptomic regulation remain poorly understood. A pot experiment was conducted with three treatments: control (CK), Se fertiliser without bacterial inoculation (S), and Se-enriched bacterial LB-2 fertiliser (L). Plant growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, POD), organic Se conversion rate, rhizosphere soil bacterial community (16S rRNA gene sequencing), and leaf transcriptome were analyzed. Compared with the S treatment, the L treatment significantly increased plant height, fresh weight, soluble sugar content, and achieved a higher organic Se conversion rate (79.26%). Antioxidant enzyme activities in rapeseed leaves under the L treatment were more effective in reducing oxidative stress induced by exogenous Na2SeO3 than those in the S treatment. Rhizosphere soil bacterial diversity analysis revealed that the L treatment significantly enriched beneficial rhizosphere taxa, including Sphingomonas, Paraflavitalea, and Neorhizobium, which may enhance soil fertility and plant growth. Transcriptome sequencing of rapeseed leaves showed significant alterations in the expression of key genes involved in secondary metabolic pathways, including P5CS2, NCED4, and ZEP.The Se-enriched bacterial LB-2 fertiliser developed in this study offers a potential solution to alleviate Se deficiency by enhancing organic Se conversion, improving antioxidant capacity, modulating rhizosphere bacterial communities, and regulating leaf secondary metabolism, thereby providing a viable strategy for increasing Se levels in food crops.

This study aims to conduct an integrated assessment of radionuclides ([238]U, [232]Th, and [40] K), potentially toxic elements (including Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Rb, Br, Co and Ni), and geochemical composition (metals) in coastal sediments of the Red Sea. In addition, geophysical datasets (including Bouguer gravity) were integrated with statistical approaches. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) is a multivariate statistical method applied to the measured geochemical and radiological datasets to explore potential sources of metals and radioactive isotopes, as well as to find correlations and patterns. The analysis and interpretation of Bouguer, regional (deep), and residual (shallow) anomalies highlight the NW-SE direction as the primary structural influence in the region. In contrast, the E-W and NE-SW directions played lesser roles in affecting the structural situation. This detailed examination of gravity anomalies provides crucial insights into the subsurface structures, aiding in the comprehensive understanding of the area's geology. Twenty-six coastal sediment samples were analyzed using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry and ICP-MS for radionuclides, major oxides, and metals. Basic geophysical data (density contrast) supported the interpretation of spatial variability. Radiological hazard indices were calculated to evaluate exposure risks. The specific activity concentration of [238]U, [232]Th and [40] K in sediments from the coast were measured to range between 5 - 38 Bq kg[-1], 0-13 Bq kg[-1] and 22 - 501 Bq kg[-1] respectively; all of these values are lower than worldwide average values. The radiological hazard indices, including radium equivalent activity (Raeq) ranges from 31 - 82 Bq kg[-1], which is much lower than the safety limit of 370 Bq kg[-1]. Both the external (Hex) and internal hazard indices (Hin) are <1, which indicates that there is a minimal radiological risk. The absorbed dose rate (15-40 nGy h[-1]) and the annual effective dose (0.04-0.06 mSv y[-1]) are both significantly lower than the worldwide values. Therefore, all hazard indices demonstrate that the sediments have no significant radiological hazard to the public. Heavy metal abundance followed the order Sr > Ba > Cr > Br > V > Zr > Zn > Ni > Rb > Cu > Co > Pb > U > Th. All radiological indices indicated safe levels, although localized variations warrant continued environmental monitoring, specify which parameters were elevated. The study confirms that natural radioactivity in the Red Sea is generally low, but exhibits some variation in relation to lithological and mineral compositions.