Abstract
Pedogenic magnetic fraction in soils is attributed to fine-grained particles, i.e. superparamagnetic grains. In the case of a strongly magnetic geogenic fraction, pedogenic magnetic ...contribution is hard to detect. To the best of our knowledge, detailed research into the masking of pedogenic superparamagnetic grains and quantification of this effect has not yet been carried out. The principal aim of our research is to quantify the influence of coarse-grained ferrimagnetic fraction on the detection of the superparamagnetic grains. In order to describe the masking phenomenon, volume and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility were determined on a set of laboratory prepared samples composed of natural substances: a diamagnetic quartz matrix, detrital coarse-grained ferrimagnetic crystals from alkaline and ultra-alkaline igneous rocks, and superparamagnetic soil concretions formed in the
Haplic Cambisol.
Mineralogy, concentration, type and grain size of the tested material were described by parameters of environmental magnetism. The magnetic parameters distinguish both geogenic multidomain and pedogenic superparamagnetic grains. The magnetic signal of the superparamagnetic grains is gradually masked by the increasing proportion of multidomain grains of magnetite/maghemite. The experiment clearly describes the masking effect and brings new insight to studies dealing with strongly magnetic soils of natural and/or highly contaminated origin as a tool for estimation of superparamagnetic pedogenic contribution.
Long-term underground exploitation of Zn-Pb ores has led to drainage of the area and formation of a huge dumping ground in the form of a pile. In its vicinity, processes of acid drainage have ...developed as a result of contamination of soils and groundwater. Geochemical transformations of mineral contents of waste can significantly affect physical and chemical properties of the soils and the bedrock. At the prospect of termination of the mining activity in the near future, determining the routes of the pollution migration, ability to monitor acid drainage processes and assessment of the risk of heavy metal pollution are really crucial. The paper presents a proposal for solving this problem by means of geophysical methods: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Time Domain-Induced Polarisation (TDIP), Frequency Domain Electromagnetics (FDEM) and shallow-depth magnetometric surveys combined with geochemical investigations. The obtained results of geophysical surveys have been confirmed by geochemical investigations. The applied ERT and TDIP methods make it possible to identify the spread of the zones of pollution around the tailing pile, but their effectiveness depends on humidity of the ground. Soil magnetometry and shallow-depth induction profiling are a good tool to identify the medium contaminated with minerals redeposited by aeolian processes and allow to determine the range of the dust spread from the pile. It has been shown that the range of impact of the geochemical changes around the tailing pile is high and depends not only on directions and dynamics of water flow from the pile but also on aeolian transport.
Studies on the effects of dust deposition on soils in urban-industrial areas were conducted with application of magnetic (soil magnetometry, thermomagnetic analysis) and geochemical (elements ...content) methods. The study area covers three different forest sites on Upper Silesian Conurbation. The purpose of the research was an estimation of soil pollution and characteristic of air derived particles. Results show magnetite and maghemite as dominant magnetic components of analyzed soil samples. The highest volume magnetic susceptibility (κ) and no correlation with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were stated close to metallurgical plant whilst the highest correlation coefficient between κ and PTEs was stated in samples from the urban area and in a vicinity of coking plant.
Soil magnetic susceptibility (MS) is an important parameter in pollution studies owing to its relationship with atmospheric deposition, and the concomitance of technogenic magnetic particles (TMPs) ...with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), Fe and Mn. In this study, we performed a detailed soil study under tree canopies for a forest area with high historical TMP-bearing industrial dust deposition. The technogenic sources of magnetic signals in topsoil were analyzed via scanning electron microscope electron dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), while the minor role of geogenic sources was obtained from soil profile analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show soil TMP distribution in three dimensional (3D) space. In addition, using the data from 275 soil cores and 8250 individual measurements, 3D maps of MS for four tree species were plotted. There is a noticeable difference between coniferous (spruce and pine) and deciduous (beech and oak) species regarding depth of maximum concentration of magnetic particles in the topsoil. For beech and oak, maximum MS values were measured at 3 cm depth; pine and spruce, maximum MS values were measured at 5 cm depth. However, no significant differences were found among tree species in terms of mean MS or PTE contents. This suggests that there is little different among tree species in terms of dust capture over their life span. Significant correlations between MS and other parameters (PTEs and organic matter contents) present new possibilities for spatial 3D analysis of topsoil horizons.
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•This is the first 3D model of magnetic susceptibility distribution in topsoil.•There is no significant difference between tree species in capture dust depositions.•Spatial method to discriminate contaminant migration in topsoil is introduced.•Magnetic susceptibility extent in topsoil under trees reflects contaminated area.•The study open new possibilities for spatial analysis variables in topsoil horizons.
We modelled magnetic susceptibility in topsoil in three-dimensional space to introduce a new technique for the interpretation of soil magnetic susceptibility distribution.
•Peatland can serve as archive of local smelting activity in the Brynica River catchment.•Magnetic signal is highly correlated with Pb content along the study peat profiles.•The strongest magnetic ...signal and Pb content is related to medieval mining activity.
One of the oldest areas of ore mining in Upper Silesia (southern Poland) is Miasteczko Śląskie, which is surrounded by numerous peat bogs developed in the Brynica Valley. These can offer a good alternative to standard archaeological investigations because they are valuable archives of climatic and anthropogenic impacts. The main aim of this study was to detect traces of human activity and historical mining and smelting in the Brynica River catchment using a combination of magnetic, radiometric and geochemical methods. The research was conducted on two peat profiles: Moczydła and Żyglinek. The application of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ), the determination of the content of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe) and radiocarbon dating allowed for investigation into the distribution of anthropogenic pollutants in the peat profile. Additionally, the enrichment factor (EF) of selected heavy metals was calculated. The results revealed the potential mobility of Cu, Zn and Cd in peat profiles and the lack of Pb mobility. Maximum enrichment of Pb could be observed in the Moczydła profile at a depth of 17 cm (5,996 mg kg−1) and in the Żyglinek profile at a depth of 14 cm, where it amounted to 287 mg kg−1 and dated back to the period 1300–1600 AD. However, in the Żyglinek profile a noticeable increase in the value of χ could be seen from a depth of 40 cm, where peat layers corresponded to 2700 BC. The high correlation observed between anthropogenic Pb (EFPb) and magnetic parameters (χ and χ/Fe) will be useful for the further study of the tracers of ore mining and smelting and other historical human impacts on the environment. It can support archaeological studies conducted at the sites of early settlements, which in Central and Northern Europe were very often located on hills surrounded by swamps and peat bogs.
An initial magnetic survey conducted on the soil surface in the Orle forest glade, located in the Izery Mountains (south-western Poland), indicated the existence of a strong magnetic anomaly. Most ...cores collected in the glade outside the area of magnetic anomaly show a vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility typical for soils formed on a diamagnetic or paramagnetic background, in unpolluted areas and influenced only by natural processes. The different patterns of magnetic susceptibility values exhibited by cores collected in the area of the magnetic anomaly reveal the source of the magnetic signal as an anthropogenic layer of waste buried in the subsoil, which was dumped in this area during the historical activity of a glass factory that was active in Orle in the 18th and 19th centuries. Topsoil measurements of magnetic susceptibility revealed that this anthropogenic material has completely different magnetic properties than the natural geological background, therefore making possible the use of magnetic and geoelectrical techniques to determine the location of buried historical waste. Application of different magnetic and geoelectrical methods (soil magnetometry, magnetic gradiometry, EM profiling, electrical resistivity tomography), in combination with a previous magnetic survey, enabled assessment of the location, depth and thickness of the anthropogenic layer. The anthropogenic layer consisted of historical slags and ashes from glass production mixed with modern bottom ashes and construction waste dumped here during the second part of the 20th century. The anthropogenic material occurs in the form of a nonhomogeneous layer characterized by high magnetic susceptibility (>100 × 10−5 SI units) and low resistivity (<200 Ωm) as well as high and variable apparent conductivity (>25 mS/m). These properties are firmly different from the properties of the natural soil and parent rocks and enable fairly precise location of the anthropogenic layer using magnetic and geoelectrical measurements.
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•Buried anthropogenic layers can be identified by joint magnetic and geoelectrical surveys.•Magnetic anomaly in soil has been found in remote place in the Izera Mts. (SW Poland).•Vertical magnetic profile reveals anthropogenic origin of magnetic signal.•Geophysical properties of historical slags and ashes are different form soil and parent rocks.
Magnetic and geochemical parameters of soils are determined with respect to geology, pedogenesis and anthropopression. Depending on local conditions these factors affect magnetic and geochemical ...signals simultaneously or in various configurations. We examined four type of soils (Entic Podzol, Eutric Cambisol, Humic Cambisol and Dystric Cambisol) developed on various bedrock (the Tumlin Sandstone, basaltoid, amphibolite and serpentinite, respectively). Our primary aim was to characterize the origin and diversification of the magnetic and geochemical signal in soils in order to distinguish the most reliable methods for correct interpretation of measured parameters. Presented data include selected parameters, both magnetic (mass magnetic susceptibility – χ, frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility – χfd and thermomagnetic susceptibility measurement – TSM), and geochemical (selected heavy metal contents: Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). Additionally, the enrichment factor (EF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) were calculated. Our results suggest the following: (1) the χ/Fe ratio may be a reliable indicator for determining changes of magnetic signal origin in soil profiles; (2) magnetic and geochemical signals are simultaneously higher (the increment of χ and lead and zinc was noted) in topsoil horizons because of the deposition of technogenic magnetic particles (TMPs); (3) EF and Igeo evaluated for lead and zinc unambiguously showed anthropogenic influence in terms of increasing heavy metal contents in topsoil regardless of bedrock or soil type; (4) magnetic susceptibility measurements supported by TSM curves for soil samples of different genetic horizons are a helpful tool for interpreting the origin and nature of the mineral phases responsible for the changes of magnetic susceptibility values.
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•The χ/Fe ratio is a reliable tool for identifying the origin of magnetic signals.•χ and TSM curves are helpful for identification of the nature of mineral phases.•χ, χ/Fe, EF and Igeo showed similar behaviours for assigned soil horizons.
Capsule: The approach is useful for identifying the origin and nature of magnetic and geochemical enhancement in different genetic soil horizons.
•Magnetic methods aid in distinguishing technogenic from geogenic enrichment in soil.•Absolute values of κ and SIRM and Fe content vary for TMPs and GMPs.•Weathering of strongly magnetic bedrock ...limits direct evaluation of contamination.•SIRM/κ and κ/Fe enable estimation of stage of rock-weathering processes.•Horizon depth is crucial for proper interpretation of signal origin.
Determination of the origin (geogenic or technogenic) of magnetic and geochemical imprints in soils and the role of weathering processes is crucial for the assessment of relationship between technogenic magnetic particles (TMPs) and potentially toxic elements (PTEs), iron and manganese. Our primary aim is to distinguish the most reliable methods for the appropriate interpretation of measured parameters strictly attributed to particular soil horizons (including bedrock), which is not yet very common in soil magnetometry. We examined six soil profiles developed from/on five different rock types (sedimentary and igneous rocks). The magnetic parameters reflect the concentration, type and grain size of the magnetic particles. Geochemical analysis consists of the determination of PTEs (Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), Fe and Mn. Quantification of soil contamination is based on calculating the index of geoaccumulation and enrichment factors. Interpretation is based on plots and magnetic and geochemical data, evaluated by principal component analysis for particular soil horizons. The results show that the volume magnetic susceptibility of the topsoil (mineral horizon Ah) in areas where the soil is developed from strongly magnetic bedrock is primarily influenced by geogenic magnetic particles (GMPs) derived from weathering processes. In cases of magnetic susceptibility determined on organic subhorizons (Oea or Oa), the magnetic parameters indicate the occurrence of TMPs. Moreover, the ratios of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization over magnetic susceptibility, and magnetic susceptibility over iron content help in distinguishing both geogenic and technogenic magnetic contributions. The variations of magnetic susceptibility and iron concentration reflect the presence of the strongly magnetic fraction in total soil iron content. Lead and zinc exhibit unambiguous technogenic influx into topsoil horizons. We conclude that the technogenic contamination dominates over geogenic enrichment in soils developed from/on weakly magnetic bedrock, but also strongly magnetic bedrock (without weathering effects).
Planktonic and benthic foraminiferal assemblages, oxygen stable isotopes, calcium carbonate content and total sulfur and magnetic susceptibility have been studied from the middle Coniacian to middle ...Santonian interval of the Dubivtsi succession (western Ukraine). At the Coniacian–Santonian boundary significant changes took place in foraminiferal assemblages. Keeled, deep-water forms, which are a common to dominant group in planktonic foraminiferal assemblages in the late Coniacian decline in abundance in the Santonian, where the assemblages are dominated by heterohelicids and Hedbergella. Late Coniacian benthic foraminiferal assemblages dominated by large, calcareous epifaunal (oxic) forms in the early Santonian became dominated by small, thin-walled, infaunal (dysoxic) species with significant increase of agglutinated foraminifers within assemblages. Changes in foraminiferal assemblages correspond with lithological changes from upper Coniacian limestones to lower Santonian marls. An increase in total sulfur in the lower Santonian and increase in magnetic successibility values up the succession are recorded. Changes in foraminiferal assemblages along with decreasing calcium carbonate content and increasing magnetic susceptibility indicate that during the early and middle Santonian the Tethyan connection with the studied part of the south-central European epicontinental sea was partially limited by an area uplifted as a consequence of Subhercynian tectonic movements; thus it constituted a partially restricted basin with sedimentation in an oxygen depleted environment.
•We integrate foraminiferal assemblages with geochemical and geomagnetic properties.•We reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes in the Cretaceous European sea.•We discuss paleogeography of the south-central European epicontinental sea.
Recent research has convincingly shown the advantages of combining environmental magnetism and geochemical analyses for the proxy estimation of anthropogenic pollution due to their atmospheric ...deposition in local environments. Few studies have also focused on anthropogenic particles deposited on snow. However, papers reporting on Sahara dust particles deposited on snow in central Europe and which involve magnetic methods are missing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the magnetic features of the SDE recorded in snowfall in this part of Europe (i.e. Poland). Our aim was to provide the magnetic characteristics and chemical elemental compositions of a snow horizon containing Saharan dust deposited near the Polish Jakuszyce meteorological station during a snowfall event that occurred from the 1st to the February 7, 2021. Samples of snow with and without Saharan dust were analysed with respect to iron oxide contents (magnetic susceptibility, hysteresis loop, magnetic remanence acquisition) and compared with chemical compositions. Our results revealed the presence of both ferrimagnetic magnetite and antiferromagnetic hematite in the dust-enriched horizon, and the diamagnetic behaviour of the reference layer consisting of ‘pure’ snow. The samples recorded the presence of geogenic elements such as Al, Fe, Mn, and Ti, anthropogenic elements such as As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and nutrients including Ca and K. The total concentrations of geogenic elements, nutrients, and anthropogenic elements in the snow samples with deposited Saharan dust were, respectively, >3700, >320, and >110 times greater than in the samples without Saharan dust. These findings may serve as reference data for a variety of environmental magnetic studies.
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