Preliminary results of magnetic characterisation of different soils in the tandil region (argentina) affected by pollution by a metallurgical factory

摘要

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 layers, this enhancement may be explained by 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, B_(CR), S ratio, X vs. SIRM), in order to know, in a qualitative way, the magnetic mineral composition, grain size, and characteristics of the main carriers. X-Ray and Diffraction (XRD) analyses support the magnetic results. 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.