Vehicle-derived emissions and pollution on the road autovia 2 investigated by rock-magnetic parameters: A case study from Argentina

Abstract

In this work, we carried out a preliminary study of traffic-derived pollutants from primary sources (vehicles), and on roads (paved area), road borders and surroundings areas. The study is focussed on the identification, distribution and concentration of pollutants and magnetic carriers. Magnetic parameters and their analyses suggest that the magnetic signal of vehicle-derived emissions is controlled by a magnetite-like phase. Magnetic grain size estimations reveal the presence of fine particles (0.1−5 μm) that can be inhaled and therefore are dangerous to human health. Magnetic susceptibility results (about 175 × 10 −5 SI) show a higher magnetic concentration -magnetic enhancement -in the central area of the tollbooth line that is related to higher traffic. In addition, magnetic susceptibility was computed on several roadside soils along a length of 120 km and used to generate a 2-D contour map, which shows higher magnetic values (100−200 × 10 −5 SI) near the edge of the road. The observed distribution of magnetic values indicates that magnetic particles emitted by vehicles are accumulated and mainly concentrated within a distance of several meters (1−2 m) from the edge of the road. In consequence, the magnetic susceptibility parameter seems to be a suitable indicator of traffic-related pollution. Non-magnetic studies show an enrichment of some trace elements, such as Ba, Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb, that are associated with traffic pollution. Furthermore, statistical correlations between the content of toxic trace metals and magnetic variables support the use of magnetic parameters as potential proxies for traffic-related pollution in this study area. K e y w o r d s : magnetic susceptibility, pollution, roadside soils, toxic trace metals, vehicle emissions D.C. Marié et al. 136 Stud. Geophys. Geod., 54 (2010)

Magnetic studies and scanning electron microscopy — X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses of road sediments, soils and vehicle-derived emissions

“…Several rock-magnetic measurements were done, including magnetic susceptibility (κ) and anhysteretic and isothermal remanent magnetisation (ARM and IRM). As detailed in Marié et al (2010), magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out using a magnetic susceptibility meter (MS2, Bartington Instruments Ltd) connected to the MS2B dual frequency sensor (470 and 4700 Hz). ARM was imparted by superimposing a DC field of 90 μT to an AF of 100 mT, using a partial ARM (pARM) device attached to a shielded demagnetizer (Molspin Ltd).…”

Magnetic enhancement of urban roadside soils as a proxy of degree of pollution by traffic-related activities

“…a A larger Fe-rich particle; b Irregular angular magnetic particle Muxworthy et al 2001;Matzka and Maher 1999) have confirmed that, in the absence of heavy industry, traffic pollution is the main source of magnetic particles in urban environment. The highest magnetic signals are found within a distance of 5-7 m from the center of the road (2-3 m from the edge of the asphalt surface) (Hoffmann et al 1999;Marie et al 2010;Zhang et al 2006). Therefore, the elevated concentrations of magnetic particles and heavy metals in the roadside topsoils should be predominately attributed to the emission from traffic activities.…”

“…Because simple, rapid, and non-destructive magnetic measurement technique can be applied on various environmental samples, it has been expected that magnetic measurement is applicable for assessing heavy metal pollution derived from traffic activities. Several studies have successfully tested the applicability of magnetic proxies in detecting roadside pollution (El-Hasan 2008;Gautam et al 2005;Hoffmann et al 1999;Maher et al 2008;Marie et al 2010;Prajapati et al 2006;Zhang et al 2006). Therefore, this method represents an inexpensive and indirect approach in detecting heavy metal contaminations from traffic activities.…”

Traffic-Related Pollutants in Roadside Soils of Different Countries in Europe and Asia

“…Car emissions also contain a significant fraction of magnetic particles (Hunt et al 1984;Flanders 1994;Olson and Skogerboe 1975;Hoffmann et al 1999;Goddu et al 2004;Gautam et al 2005;Sagnotti et al 2006Sagnotti et al , 2009Bućko et al 2010Bućko et al , 2011Chaparro et al 2010;Marie et al 2010;Jordanova et al 2014). Such particles come from abrasion and corrosion processes affecting metal parts, brake linings, tires, and road surfaces.…”