This study seeks to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the southern part of Thal Desert of Pakistan. The primary focus lies in identifying potential sources of contamination and evaluating their impact on groundwater and the ecosystem. Groundwater samples were collected from diverse sources including shallow hand pumps, tubewells, and dug wells, with depths ranging from 11 to 28 m. A comprehensive analysis was performed to scrutinize the physical, chemical, and microbial attributes of the samples. Utilizing visual aids like the Piper, Durov, and Gibbs diagrams, as well as Pearson correlation, scatter plots, Schoeller diagrams, and pie charts, the study evaluated the groundwater quality and its suitability for consumption. Results indicate that mineral infiltration from rainfall, domestic waste, and industrial effluents significantly affects groundwater quality, leading to widespread salinity. Weathering processes and ion exchange were identified as key factors contributing to elevate levels of bicarbonates, sodium, magnesium, and chloride ions. Employing the Water Quality Index (WQI) on 40 groundwater samples, findings reveal that 52.5% of samples demonstrated poor to not suitable quality, with 27.5% categorized as poor, 2.5% as very poor, and 22.5% not suitable consumption. Conversely, 47.5% of samples showcased good to excellent quality, with 25% rated as good and 22.5% as excellent. These findings provide valuable insights for hydrogeologists to develop appropriate strategies for water treatment and address any concerns related to groundwater quality.

Owing to the exceptional role of crushed rock aggregates in construction, their prospective reserves fulfilling qualitative and economic parameters should be identified to meet their ever-increasing demand. This research aims to unlock new sources of high-quality construction materials, thereby optimizing concrete performance and meeting the requirement for sustainable building materials. The study investigated the physicomechanical and petrographic properties of Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene limestones of the Kawagarh Formation (KF), Samana Suk Formation (SSF), and Margalla Hill Limestone (MHL) along the Abbottabad–Nathiagali roadside section, as per the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and British Standards Institute (BSI). The results of geotechnical investigations are flakiness and elongation index (19.6–34.85% and 17.53–31.2%), specific gravity (2.64 to 2.67), water absorption (0.34–0.63%), unconfined compressive strength (41.72–80.65 MPa), loss angeles abrasion value (15.63–19.08%), impact value (15.38–19.36%), and the soundness (0.9–1.97%). These results showed values within the acceptable range according to ASTM and BSI standards. Petrographically, the KF is classified as mud and wackestone, the SSF was mainly classified as wacke-packstone and grainstone, while the MHL was classified as bioclastic wacke and packstone. The dominancy of micrite matrix favors the strength of aggregate, whereas porosity, microfractures, stylolites, and allochems adversely affect the mechanical properties of rock aggregates. Based on reserve estimation, the studied sections possess significant exploitable reserves and are feasible for quarry operations. The studied rocks can be utilized to produce high-strength concrete, optimizing its performance and quality.