This study examines the mineralogy, texture, and weathering grades of intrusive igneous rocks from northern Pakistan, as well as their impacts on physical and strength properties. In comparison to felsic rocks, mafic and intermediate rocks have lower cumulative proportions of quartz, feldspar, and plagioclase, as well as higher specific gravity, strength (i.e., UCS and R-value), and UPV values. Similarly, samples with anhedral grain shapes, irregular boundaries, and fine to medium grain sizes (UD, ANS, and CGN) exhibited greater strength values, with compressive strengths of 121, 118, and 91 MPa and tensile strengths of 11, 9, and 12 MPa, respectively. The physical and strength properties of the investigated samples corresponded well with the weathering grades assigned to them, such as fresh (WG-I), slightly weathered (WG-II), and highly weathered (WG-III). That is, as the grade increased from WG-I to WG-III, the porosity and water absorption increased (0.28% and 0.72%, respectively), whereas the specific gravity, compressive strength, and tensile strength decreased (2.04, 20, and 2.5 MPa, respectively, for CGA). Although the presence of quartz impacts rock strength, no significant association was found between the strength and the maximum and mean grain sizes of other minerals.

Geospatial methods, such as GIS and remote sensing, map radon levels, pinpoint high-risk areas and connect geological traits to radon presence. These findings direct health planning, focusing tests, mitigation, and policies where radon levels are high. Overall, geospatial analyses offer vital insights, shaping interventions and policies to reduce health risks from radon exposure. There is a formidable threat to human well-being posed by the naturally occurring carcinogenic radon (²²²Rn) gas due to high solubility in water. Under the current scenario, it is crucial to assess the extent of ²²²Rn pollution in our drinking water sources across various regions and thoroughly investigate the potential health hazards it poses. In this regard, the present study was conducted to investigate the concentration of ²²²Rn in groundwater samples collected from handpumps and wells and to estimate health risks associated with the consumption of ²²²Rn-contaminated water. For this purpose, groundwater samples (n = 30) were collected from handpumps, and wells located in the Mulazai area, District Peshawar. The RAD7 radon detector was used as per international standards to assess the concentration of ²²²Rn in the collected water samples. The results unveiled that the levels of ²²²Rn in the collected samples exceeded the acceptable thresholds set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) of 11.1 Bq L⁻¹. Nevertheless, it was determined that the average annual dose was below the recommended limit of 0.1 mSv per year, as advised by both the European Union Council and the World Health Organization. In order to avoid the harmful effects of such excessive ²²²Rn concentrations on human health, proper ventilation and storage of water in storage reservoirs for a long time before use is recommended to lower the ²²²Rn concentration.

In this study, sandstones of the Lower Jurassic Datta Formation in the Salt and Trans‐Indus ranges are investigated regarding composition, diagenesis, provenance and reservoir properties using petrography, scanning electron microscopy and petrophysical analysis. The detrital mineral composition of the Datta Formation indicated that the sandstones are quartzose, lithic‐quartzose, lithic‐feldspatho‐quartzose, lithic‐quartzo‐feldspathic, quartzo‐lithic and feldspatho‐quartzose, primarily from the recycled orogen setting, including the Malani Igneous Suite, the Aravali Range and Nagar Parkar. The Datta Formation has sub‐angular to well‐rounded, fine to coarse and moderate to well‐sorted grains. Numerous diagnostic processes that occurred in the early to late stages of diagenesis, such as compaction, pressure solution, cementation, alteration, dolomitisation and dissolution, are supported by evidence in the Datta Formation. Dissolution, physical compaction, dolomitisation and alteration enhanced the reservoir quality, while pressure solution and cementation reduced the reservoir quality of the Datta Formation. The porosity types detected in the Datta Formation under scanning electron microscopy are vuggy, intracrystalline/intraparticle, dissolution and intercrystalline, with an average petrographic visual porosity of 11%. The petrophysical aspects of the Datta Formation in the Chonai‐01 well and the correlation between four wells indicated that the hydrocarbons had shifted up‐dip towards the Isa‐Khail‐01 well, so it is recommended for drilling because of the greater depositional thickness. The comparison of the Datta Formation with age‐equivalent units in other regions of eastern Tethys provided a better understanding of reservoir heterogeneities that can be applicable in areas with similar geological conditions for future petroleum exploration.