Naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in the rivers sediments of Northern Pakistan were measured using HPGe γ-ray spectrometer to evaluate the radiation health hazard indices and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). Average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the sediments were found to be 50.66 ± 1.29, 70.15 ± 1.45 and 531.70 ± 5.45 Bq kg−1 respectively. Radium equivalent activity (190.89 Bq kg−1), outdoor external dose (87.47 nGy h−1), indoor external dose (165.39 nGy h−1), and total average annual effective dose (0.92 mSv) were calculated. The hazard indices are higher than the world's average values. Total excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was found to be 3.21 × 10−3 which is relatively higher. Numerous cancer deaths are annually reported from the Northern areas of Pakistan, which may be related to high radioactivity in the area

In recent years, the synthesis of ammonia (NH3) has been developed by electrocatalytic technology that is a potential way to effectively replace the Haber–Bosch process, which is an industrial synthesis of NH3. Industrial ammonia has caused a series of problems for the population and environment. In the face of sustainable green synthesis methods, the advantages of electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction for synthesis of NH3 in aqueous media have attracted a great amount of attention from researchers. This review summarizes the recent progress on the highly efficient electrocatalysts based on 2D non-metallic nanomaterial and provides a brief overview of the synthesis principle of electrocatalysis and the performance measurement indicators of electrocatalysts. Moreover, the current development of N2 reduction reaction (NRR) electrocatalyst is discussed and prospected.

Studies on naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the limestone from the Margalla Hills have been carried out by measuring gamma activity and to access its radiological implications if any. For data acquisition, a High-Purity Germanium detector was employed. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K were found to be 14.32 ± 0.24, 2.05 ± 0.04, and 13.80 ± 0.20 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These values are relatively lower as compared to that in the limestone of other countries and much lower than the values reported for the natural building stones. The average specific activities due to (226)Ra were found to be higher when compared with (40)K and (232)Th. Indices of radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), internal hazard (H(in)), indoor absorbed gamma dose rate (D(R,)), and corresponding annual effective dose (E(eff)) were also determined for the limestone-made rooms. All of these indices were found to be in the lower ranges. The Margalla Hills limestone does not pose any excessive radiological health hazard as a building material and in industrial uses for a common man.

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