Investigation of polluted alluvial soils by magnetic susceptibility methods: a case study of the Litavka River

Abstract

Dlouhá Š., Petrovský E., Kapička A., Borůvka L., Ash Ch., Drábek O. (2013): Investigation of polluted alluvial soils by magnetic susceptibility methods: a case study of the Litavka River. Soil & Water Res., 8: 151-157.Serious pollution of alluvial soils by a wide range of potentially toxic elements is usually observed in the valleys with mining and metallurgical industry. To outline areas of increased risk elements inputs, measurements of soil magnetic susceptibility can be used. This method is based on the measurement of the concentration of ferrimagnetic minerals of anthropogenic origin, mainly iron oxides, which are closely associated with risk elements such as heavy metals. The aim of this study is to examine the link between magnetic susceptibility of poorly drained Litavka River alluvial soils located in the mining/smelting region of Příbram (Czech Republic) and the observed high concentration of risk elements in soils. Surface volume magnetic susceptibility and the vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility in soil profiles were measured in situ. On the basis of field measurements, selected parts of soil cores were sampled for a detailed magnetic and chemical analysis. Our results demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between magnetic susceptibility and soil concentration of Cu, Pb, and Zn. The magnetically enhanced soil layer, relatively low frequency-dependent susceptibility, presence of Verwey transition, and scanning electron microscope observations suggested a prevalence of coarse magnetite/maghemite, likely of anthropogenic origin. However, the magnetic properties in-situ also reflected the natural soil conditions and soil processes. The high content of organic matter, varying reductive/oxidative condition, and vertical migration of magnetic phases were the main factors influencing the observed magnetic susceptibility values.

Spatial variation of soil magnetic susceptibility in relation to different emission sources in southern Poland

“…In spite of the fact that the depth of the upper (anthropogenic) maxima in the soil profile is rather related to profile development, soil type, thickness of organic horizon etc. however certain migration of magnetic particles over the years between O and Ah horizons is not excluded (Sapkota and Cioppa, 2012;Dlouha et al, 2013).…”

Life in a Contaminated Environment: How Soil Nematodes Can Indicate Long-Term Heavy-Metal Pollution

“…Several studies have assessed the accumulation and/or contents of heavy metals in the floodplain soils around the Litavka River ( Borůvka et al ., 1996 ; Žák et al ., 2009 ; Dlouhá et al ., 2013 ; Kebonye et al ., 2021 ). Such traditional analytical approaches measure the contents of total or extractable heavy metals and provide information on their general distribution but not on the biological impacts they may have on an ecosystem.…”

Using magnetic susceptibility mapping for assessing soil degradation due to water erosion

“…There is a wide range of other applications of magnetic properties for assessing soils, such as for hydric soil delineation (de Jong 2002;Grimley et al 2004) or soil pollution assessment (e.g. Kapička et al 2003Magiera et al 2006;Lu et al 2007;Kodešová et al 2011;Dlouhá et al 2013).…”