Preliminary Results of Magnetic Characterisation of Different Soils in Tandil Region (Argentina) Affected by the Pollution of Metallurgical Factory

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

European Journal of Environmental & Engineering Geophysics

Geophysical Press

Lugar: Paris (Francia); Año: 2002 vol. 7 p. 35 - 58

1359-8155

Magnetic measurements of soils exposed to pollution became one auxiliary tool for estimating contamination. In this work, preliminary studies of magnetic properties of recent soils from the Tandil region, Buenos Aires Province (Argentina) are presented, paying special attention to ‘magnetic enhancement’ on topsoil’s layers, this enhancement may be explained by the fallout from the atmosphere of pollutant particles generated by metallurgical factories. An integrated analysis of magnetic parameters was carried out: susceptibility (in situ, laboratory, frequency dependence, temperature dependence), Isothermal Remanent Magnetisation (IRM curves, SIRM, BCR, S ratio, c vs. SIRM), in order to know, in a qualitative way, the magnetic mineral composition, grain size, and characteristics of the main carriers. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses support the magnetic results. The comparison of the results showed significant differences between the concentration and grain sizes of ferrimagnetic oxides present in polluted and unpolluted or less polluted soils.