The influence of the wind direction and plants on the variability of topsoil magnetic susceptibility in industrial and urban areas of southern Poland

Abstract

Volume magnetic susceptibility (j) was measured on the soil surface and in the vertical topsoil profile within a 300 km 2 area located in an urban-industrial conurbation. The results were compared to plant species compositions in the forest storeys, elevation above sea level, and terrain geomorphology. The content and mineral composition of the magnetic fraction were determined in the soil horizons. It was found that the extent of the area with enhanced topsoil magnetic susceptibility was similar to the dominant wind direction (south-west). Enhanced j values were observed for the soil at the forest margin on the leeward side of the emitters as well as at sites located on exposed local elevations (C10 m). There were no significant correlations between species composition of the forest stand and soil surface j value (measured both with and without forest litter). Soil covered with deciduous treesmostly ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.)-demonstrated higher j values than soil under coniferous tree species. However, our results suggest that this parameter is not controlled by individual tree species, but rather depends on distance from emission sources, intensity of magnetic particle emission, and meteorological conditions (prevailing wind directions and dynamics).

Forest Humus Type Governs Heavy Metal Accumulation in Specific Organic Matter Fractions

“…The dust formed in the process of coal combustion at the Rybnik power plant contains on average 120 mg kg −1 Zn, 64 mg kg −1 Cr, 40 mg kg −1 of each Cu, Ni, and Pb and 3 mg kg −1 Cd (Smołka-Danielowska 2006). The elevated content of heavy metals in the soils of the study site has been confirmed by earlier research (Magiera et al 2015;Magiera et al 2016). The field sites were located in forest complex east of Rybnik where the soils are derived from glacial moraines and are dominated by Brunic Arenosols and Cambisols (WRB 2014).…”

Studies of technogenic soils in Poland: past, present, and future perspectives

“…A significant increase in the amount of pollutants deposited as a result of emissions, including Cd, Ni, and Pt, was indicated. Research conducted in the area of the Upper Silesian agglomeration revealed a significant relationship between the magnitude of magnetic susceptibility and the degree of transformation of soils, including technogenic and urban soils (Strzyszcz et al 1994;Łukasik et al, 2015;Magiera et al, 2016aMagiera et al, , 2016b.…”