The composition and texture of beach sediments along continental coastlines vary considerably. Beach sands made completely of carbonate sediments are prevalent along Egypt's Western Mediterranean Coast. Forty-five sediment samples were collected from various locations (El-Dekhela, Kilo-21, Abu Talat, and Sidi Krir) along the Western Mediterranean Coast of Egypt. The sedimentological and mineralogical attributes of the collected sediments were investigated using collaborative techniques. The beach sediments in the coastal region between El-Dekhela and Sidi Krir consist mainly of carbonate sands that are mineralogically composed of dolomite, calcite, and aragonite with smaller amounts of quartz, sylvite, anhydrite, gypsum, and trace amounts of microcline. They contain ooids with bioclasts and very few heavy minerals, except for notable amounts of these minerals in the El-Dekhela region. These heavy minerals primarily consist of opaque minerals, amphiboles, and pyroxenes, with smaller amounts of epidote, zircon, tourmaline, rutile, garnet, kyanite, monazite, sphene, staurolite, and biotite. The combination of heavy minerals in these deposits indicates a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types as potential source rocks. Heavy mineral concentrations decrease westward from the Nile River's mouth near Rosetta to Egypt's Western Mediterranean Coast. Most of the studied ooids are white colored and usually have a pearly luster; these characteristics indicate that these sediments were formed in agitated water. The current study reveals that the ooids in the study area originated from a variety of sources, including autochthonous and allochthonous ooids that eroded and broke, implying that they may have originated from coastal plain carbonate ridges.

A necessary evaluation of freshwater ecosystem pollution levels and radiation risks remains crucial for maintaining environmental health, especially within economically developing areas. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the mineralogical, geochemical, and radiological characteristics of sediments in Nasser Lake, Egypt, to determine potential ecological and health risks. Forty sediment samples were collected from multiple locations, including both surface and bottom sediments, for analysis of textural attributes, mineral composition, potentially toxic elements, and natural radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K). Results revealed sand-dominated sediments with low organic matter content. The heavy mineral assemblages derived from Nile River inputs, wind-deposited materials, and eroded igneous and metamorphic rocks. Geochemical analysis showed that arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead concentrations exceeded upper continental crust background values, with enrichment factors and geo-accumulation indices indicating significant anthropogenic contributions. The pollution indices revealed heavy contamination levels and extreme ecological risks, which were primarily driven by arsenic and cadmium concentrations. Radiological assessments detected activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K below the world average, with hazard indices indicating minimal radiological risk except where localized hotspots were present. The study emphasizes the need for targeted monitoring and sustainable management practices to mitigate pollution and preserve the crucial freshwater environment of Nasser Lake.