Economic Potential And Health Risks Assessment Of The Trace Elements In The Recently Discovered Phosphate Deposits Of Paswal Mian, Banseri, And Shahkot Regions, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

ABSTRACT  

The current research focuses on detailed geochemical findings in the newly discovered phosphate deposits of Paswal Mian, Banseri, and Shahkot regions, district Abbottabad, located in the Lesser Himalayas on the western side of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis. It encompasses rock formations from the Hazara and Abbottabad formations, particularly the upper and lower dolomite members within the Abbottabad Formation. Phosphate deposits are hosted in the lower dolomite, approximately 30-40 feet from the contact with the lower quartzite member. These phosphate beds extend laterally from Paswal Mian to Shahkot, forming an elongated area and sharing similar traits with other phosphate rocks in the region. Their thickness varies from a few inches to multiple feet. Geochemical results revealed that the phosphate rocks contain P₂O₅ concentrations ranging between 12-25%, making them suitable for fertilizer industry. P₂O₅ exhibits a negative correlation with SiO₂ and demonstrates negative associations with MgO, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and MnO while displaying positive correlations with CaO, K₂O, Na₂O, and TiO₂. Additionally, the chemical makeup differs among locations; Shahkot shows higher levels of P₂O₅ and K₂O, Banseri displays elevated SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, and LOI, and Paswal Mian presents increased Fe₂O₃, MnO, CaO, and Na₂O. This leads to a classification of phosphate deposits by quality as Shahkot > Paswal > Banseri. Concerning trace elements, Shahkot has higher concentrations of Pb and Cr, Banseri contains more Zn, Ni, and Cd, while Paswal Mian exhibits higher levels of Cu and Co. Health assessments indicate generally low average concentrations of trace elements: Cu at 4.04μg/l, Pb at 43.44μg/l, Zn at 45μg/l, Ni at 3.2-14.5μg/l, Cr at 19.74μg/l, Co at 3.25-10.4μg/l, and Cd at 3.01μg/l, all below hazardous levels. The estimated probable phosphate reserves in the elongated Paswal Mian, Banseri, and Shahkot belt amount to 4.24 million metric tons, with an average composition of 20% P₂O₅.

KEYWORDS: Geochemistry, Phosphate deposits, Paswal Mian, Banseri, Shahkot, Abbottabad