Abstract

PEDROSO-HERRERA, Ida Inés. Magnetic indicators parameters of contamination by heavy metals in soils of Almendares-Vento basin. Min. Geol. [online]. 2019, vol.35, n.1, pp. 92-115. ISSN 1993-8012.

In order to verify if the magnetic parameters can be indicators of soil contamination, the relationship between magnetic parameters and the concentration of heavy metals in soil samples from the Almendares-Vento basin was studied. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility, chemical determinations of heavy elements and remanent magnetization, were made. The concentration values in the samples of the heavy elements (Cr, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn and Pb) were determined by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. Magnetic susceptibility yielded higher values towards the upper part of the soil, up to 20 cm deep, which can be attributed to the presence of magnetic material of anthropogenic origin on the soil surface, generated by productive processes at the facilities of the region. It is concluded that increases in the values of magnetic susceptibility are indicators of the increase in the concentration levels of heavy elements for soils of the basin as a consequence of human contamination.

Keywords : anthropogenic contamination; soils; heavy metals; magnetic susceptibility; isothermal remanent magnetization; environmental magnetism.

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