A first approach of traffic-derived pollution on the road Autovia 2 using rock-magnetic studies: a case of study from Argentina

MARCOS A.E. CHAPARRO; DÉBORA C. MARIÉ; CLAUDIA S.G. GOGORZA; ANA M. SINITO

Congreso; 11th Castle Meeting ?New Trends in Geomagnetism Paleo, Rock and Environmental Magnetism; 2008

Castle Meeting

In this work, we carried out a preliminary study of traffic-derived pollutants on roads (paved area), road borders and surroundings areas. The study is focussed on the identification, distribution and concentration of pollutants and magnetic carriers. The studied road is one of the most important in Buenos Aires province, and has a considerable traffic density, of about 5,500 vehicles per day and reaching about 8,000 vehicles per day at the weekends. Sampling and in situ magnetic susceptibility (kis) measurements were done in the tollbooth areas on the road Autovia 2 (Buenos Aires ? Mar del Plata). Collected samples of road-deposited sediments and at the roadside soils were prepared and sub sampled in the laboratory to accomplish several rock-magnetic measurements: magnetic susceptibility, anhysteric and isothermal remanent magnetisation, and thermal demagnetisation. The results of magnetic parameters and their analyses suggest that the magnetic signal of vehicle-derived emissions is controlled by a magnetite-like phase. Results of kis show higher magnetic concentration ?magnetic enhancement? in the central area of the tollbooth line, which is related to higher traffic. In this study, the magnetic susceptibility parameter seems to be a suitable indicator of traffic-related pollution.