Observing urban soil pollution using magnetic susceptibility

Abstract

Pollution of urban soils dramatically reduces life and environmental quality. The most common pollutants are heavy metals and organic contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyl. Main source of these pollutants is fossil fuels which are pervasive in urban and/or industrialized areas. Identifying type and intensity of the pollution is essential to prepare an effective hazard mitigation plan. The study has been focused on the determining the distribution of pollutants in Denizli city center. The magnetic susceptibility measurements and chemical analysis are performed at several locations. The low frequency magnetic values are differing significantly over the study area. They are concentrated at the northern and southeastern parts of the study area. The spatial distribution of the PLI proved that the industrial area showed very high anomalous. They mainly come from magnetic particle sources in the area. Scattering patterns of Fe, Pb, Cu, Cr and Ni are compatible with the susceptibility maps and the topography. The highest concentration of Ni, Cr, Pb and Cu oxides elements are observed near the major roads and close to the industrial enterprises in the northern part of the city. High correlations are documented between low frequency magnetic susceptibility and Fe, Si, Pb and Cr. The method can effectively be employed for monitoring the urban soil pollution.