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Magnetic susceptibility measurements as proxy method to monitor soil pollution: the case study of S. Nicola di Melfi

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Abstract

The development of in situ, cheep, noninvasive, and fast strategies for soil monitoring is a crucial task for environmental research. In this paper, we present the results of three field surveys carried out in an industrial area of Southern Italy: S. Nicola di Melfi. The monitoring procedure is based on soil magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out by means of experimental protocols that our research group developed during the last years. This field surveys is supported by both geological characterization of the area and analytical determinations of metal concentrations in soils. Magnetic studies were carried out not only in situ but also in laboratory. Results show that, taking into account the influence due to the geomorphologic difference, soil magnetic susceptibility is an optimal indicator of the anthropogenic impact. So, our monitoring strategy discloses that the combined use of magnetic susceptibility measurements and soil geomorphology information may be used as a useful tool for the temporal monitoring of pollution evolution and for a fast screening of polluted zones.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Metodologie per l’Analisi Ambientale/CNR, C.da S.Loja, 85050 Zona Industriale Tito Scalo, Potenza, Italy

    Mariagrazia D’Emilio, Rosa Caggiano & Rosa Coppola

  2. CNISM Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Fisiche della Materia, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy

    Mariagrazia D’Emilio & Maria Macchiato

  3. Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy

    Maria Macchiato

  4. Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Fisica dell’Ambiente, Università della Basilicata V.le dell’Ateneo Lucano, 85100, Potenza, Italy

    Maria Ragosta

Authors
  1. Mariagrazia D’Emilio
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  2. Rosa Caggiano
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  3. Rosa Coppola
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  4. Maria Macchiato
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  5. Maria Ragosta
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Correspondence to Mariagrazia D’Emilio.

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D’Emilio, M., Caggiano, R., Coppola, R. et al. Magnetic susceptibility measurements as proxy method to monitor soil pollution: the case study of S. Nicola di Melfi. Environ Monit Assess 169, 619–630 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1201-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1201-5

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