Review of Magnetism and Heavy Metal Pollution Studies of Various Environments in Argentina.

CHAPARRO, MARCOS A.E; GOGORZA, C.S.G; CHAPARRO, MAURO A.E.; IRURZUN, M.A; SINITO, A.M.

EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE

Terra Scientific Publ Co.

Año: 2006 vol. 58 p. 1411 - 1422

1343-8832

In recent years, the number of studies of pollution and magnetic proxies for environmental pollution indeveloped countries, especially European and North American countries, has gradually increased from the 80’sto date. Despite this trend that shows a positive interest in taking care of the environment and researching intothe environmental impact of several human activities, pollution studies in Latin American countries have beenreducing in number. Moreover, studies of magnetic proxies for pollution are scarce; in particular, studies of thisnature has been carried out in Argentina over the past few years by Chaparro and coworkers. Studies of magneticenhancement in soils due to the burning mechanism are discussed and the results of burnt soils affected by firesof different nature and natural soils are compared, taking into account their magnetic carriers. Nevertheless, thisarticle deals mainly with the first studies of magnetic proxies for pollution conducted in a province in Argentina.Soils, lagoon and stream sediments from three areas were studied. These areas comprise La Plata, Chascom´us,and Tandil districts. The influence of pollution was investigated in Tandil and La Plata, revealing magneticenhancement and the presence of pollutants only in Tandil soils. On the other hand, stream and lagoon sedimentswere studied in La Plata and Chascom´us. Magnetic carriers and the contents of some heavy metals were identifiedand investigated in both areas separately. Magnetic parameters show distinctive points and wide areas affectedby pollution. Furthermore, this magnetic inference is supported by high contents of heavy metals, especiallylead and zinc. Finally, a new statistical study of multiple correlation analysis concerning data from La Plataand Chascom´us areas was tried in order to investigate the existence of a linear relation between sets of severalmagnetic parameters and several chemical variables.