Potential linkages between mineral magnetic measurements and urban roadside soil pollution (part 2)

Abstract

Use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χ_LF, χ_ARM and SIRM) as a potential pollution proxy for soil samples collected from Wolverhampton (UK) is explored. Comparison of soil-related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual geochemical classes (i.e. Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd), are reported. χ_LF, χ_ARM and SIRM parameters reveal significant (p < 0.001 n = 60), strong (r = 0.632–0.797), associations with Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. Inter-geochemical correlations suggest anthropogenic influences, which is supported by low χ_FD% measurements that infer an influence of multi-domain mineralogy are indicative of anthropogenic combustion processes. Results indicate mineral magnetic measurements could potentially be used as a geochemical indicator for soils in certain environments and/or specific settings that are appropriate for monitoring techniques. The mineral magnetic technique offers a simple, reliable, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and non-destructive approach that could be a valuable pollution proxy for soil contamination studies.