Comparative Magnetic Measurements on Polluted and Unpolluted Soils from Buenos Aires Province (Argentina)

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

Birminghan, Reino Unido

Congreso; 9th Scientific Assembly of IUGG; 1999

IUGG

COMPARATIVE MAGNETIC MEASUREMENTS ON POLLUTED AND UNPOLLUTED SOILS FROM BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE (ARGENTINA) Ana M. SINITO (CONICET-IFAS, Universidad Nacional del Centro, Pinto 399, 7000-Tandil, Argentina,email: asinito@ifas.exa.unicen.edu.ar) Marcos A. Chaparro and Claudia S. G. Gogorza (IFAS, Universidad Nacional del Centro, Pinto 399, 7000-Tandil, Argentina,email: cgogorza@ifas.exa.unicen.edu.ar) Magnetic measurements of soils exposed to pollution became one auxiliary tool of estimating contamination. In this study, magnetic properties of recent soils from Buenos Aires Province (Argentina), with special attention on magnetic enhancement on soils’superficial layers, are presented. “In situ” susceptibility measurements on unpolluted and polluted (by metallurgical dust) sites were carried out. Hand samples coming from these sites were studied in laboratory. Results of susceptibility (K) at two different frequencies, Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (IRM), Saturation Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (SIRM), coercivity of remanence (Bcr), S ratio and relationship between SIRM and K are complemented with studies of changes of susceptibility with temperature (heating and cooling curves). These studies contribute to the knowledge of magnetic mineral composition, grain size, characteristics of the main carriers, concentration of heavy metals, etc. The comparison of the results between polluted and unpolluted soils shows significant differences, which are analysed.