Gamma-radiation levels along the main Karakorum thrust area of Northern Pakistan

In this contribution, the distribution of naturally occurring radionuclides in the area around Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) in Karakoram Range, North Pakistan is documented. Three natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) and one anthropogenic radionuclide (137Cs) were studied for their specific activities in 30 samples. The measurements were made by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The sampling area is located in Gilgit Baltistan province of Pakistan at an altitude of 1838 m/6030 ft above sea level. MKT separates the Karakoram plate from the Kohistan-Ladakh Terranes and Indian Plate to the south. The specific activity varied as 4.5–56.5 Bq kg−1, 18.2–61.4 Bq kg−1, 1.4–19.6 Bq kg−1 and 51–1640 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K, respectively. The average radium equivalent activity was 127.8 ± 45.9 Bq kg−1. The external hazard index was <1 for all samples and representative level index was <1 for majority of the samples. The average air absorbed dose rate was 60.9 ± 23.2 nGy h−1 corresponding to the outdoor effective dose rate of 73.7 ± 28.0 μSv y−1. These values were slightly higher than the world average values for air absorbed dose rate (51 nGy h−1) and outdoor annual effective dose rate (70 μSv y−1). The data revealed significant positive correlation between 226Ra and 40K. Principal component analysis revealed distribution patterns within the samples and identified three distinct groups. Data was also evaluated for the concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium and their ratios.