Magnetic Studies Applied to Different Environments (Soils and Stream-Sediments) from a Relatively Polluted Area in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

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

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY

Springer

Lugar: Berlin (Alemania); Año: 2004 vol. 45 p. 654 - 664

0943-0105

Anthropogenic influence, mainly due to urban and industrial activities, may affect fluvial environments and soils, via atmospheric contamination and liquid and solid waste. Continuing previous works on stream-sediments and soils, the Gran La Plata area was chosen. In this area, located in the Northeast of Buenos Aires Province (Argentina), several streams and soils were sampled. The streams have similar characteristics, although some of them have a higher input of pollutants (fluvial effluents, fly ashes, solid wastes, etc.). The studied soils have different pedological development. Magnetic and chemical studies were carried out in the laboratory. Analyses of the results indicated that the behaviour of magnetic parameters can be related to the variations of heavy metal contents in stream sediments but there is not a good correlation in soils. The comparison between both environments (stream-sediment and soils) reveals a different impact of pollutants. Magnetite, especially PSD grains, seems to be the main carrier for both environments.