Screening of Anthropogenic Dust Pollutions in Topsoil by Using Magnetic Proxies

Abstract

Scientists need a fast and inexpensive method of estimating soil pollution in areas exposed to contamination by atmospheric pollutants of industrial and urban origin. One possible alternative to traditional chemical analyses is soil magnetometry. This method is based on the detection of magnetic particles that are introduced into the soil environment through wet or dry dustfall events. Magnetic particles are produced as a result of many technological processes, but fossil fuel combustion is the most common source. Many trace elements are associated with magnetic particles and, under some condition may be liberated to the soil or ground water in forms and quantities that are potentially toxic. Magnetic proxies are a useful tool for mapping areas contaminated by industrial emission. The regional large scale of magnetic mapping over the Central Europe (Schwarzwald — Bavarian Alps — Northern Austria — Bohemia — Lower and Upper Silesia) was initiated in the frame of EU MAGPROX Project. The map exhibit of the many existing local and regional “hot spots” that are the result of geological background (mostly in Alps) and anthropogenic influx (industrial and urban dust fall). The large anthropogenic anomalies were identified in Upper and Lower Silesia (South Poland), eastern Saxony and Brandenburgy, Northern Bohemia and Northern Moravia (Ostrava region). The detailed mapping of anomaly areas show the variability of susceptibility with many local maxima, which are in close correlation with heavy metals and many other pollutants concentration and precisely points out the places of potential environmental hazards.