Heavy metal pollution in urban topsoils: mineralogical analyses and magnetic characterization

Urban soil samples collected from the city of Xuzhou were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Pb and Zn. The samples were also investigated for mineralogy using X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The identified minerals are mainly composed of quartz and calcite as major minerals. Soil samples contained elevated Zn (2,049 ± 5,439 mg/kg) and Pb (115 ± 58 mg/kg). According to the index of geoaccumulation, the soils of the study area are considered to be moderately to strongly contaminated with respect to Zn, moderately contaminated with respect to Pb. The magnetic measurements indicate that the dominant magnetic components are multidomain grains of ferrimagnetic minerals and that superparamagnetic and stable single-domain ferrimagnetic grains and non-ferrimagnetic minerals are present in small magnetic concentrations in this area. The measured metals correlated positively with the determined magnetic parameters (χ, χ _ARM, SIRM and SOFT). This result suggests that simple, rapid, and non-destructive magnetic measurements could provide useful information about Pb and Zn pollution in Xuzhou urban surface soils.     

Magnetic characteristics of topsoil from Xinjiang, Northwestern China, and their implications

In this study, a set of environmental magnetic parameters (_{χlf, χfd}%, _χARM , SIRM, HIRM, SOFT and SIRM/_{χlf, χARM} /SIRM and _χARM /_χlf) of 331 top-soil samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China were systematically measured and the magnetic characteristics and its environmental significance were discussed. Our results indicate that the main magnetic minerals of these top-soils are single-domain magnetite. The content of magnetic minerals in top-soils from north Xinjiang is higher than that from south Xinjiang; however, the content of hard magnetic minerals is higher in the topsoils from south Xinjiang. The top-soils from Yili region contain similar magnetic minerals as that from south Xinjiang, but with much stronger magnetic SP content due to higher pedogenic processes. The differences in magnetic characteristics among top-soils from different regions of Xinjiang might reflect the differences of regional climatic factors, especially the precipitation.     

应用矿物磁测技术和X射线衍射研究氧化土中的磁性矿物

应用矿物磁测、Ｘ射线衍射和化学分析对氧化土的磁性矿物进行了研究。结果表明矿物磁测及磁分离技术与Ｘ射线衍射结合是鉴别土壤中磁性矿物的类型及其晶粒特征的有效方法,证明氧化土中的主要氧化铁矿物是赤铁矿和磁赤铁矿,针铁矿次之,磁铁矿偶见,其磁赤铁矿的含量可达１．６２％￣１．９２％。土壤中磁性矿物的晶粒特征多以超顺磁性和稳定单畴态存在,认为磁性矿物的成因是通过缓慢的成土化学作用产生的。     

Pre- and post-monsoon variations in the magnetic susceptibilities of soils of Mumbai metropolitan region: implications to surface redistribution of urban soils loaded with anthropogenic particulates

Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) in India represents one of the most industrialized and thickly populated areas of the monsoon dominated Asian region. We present here pre- and post-monsoon magnetic susceptibility variations in the top-soils representing sampling domains of industrial, heavy traffic and forested areas within MMR. The rock magnetic studies (including isothermal and anhysteric remanent magnetization and hysteresis loop analysis) infer predominant pseudo single domain to multi domain grains in an overall ferrimagnetic dominant mineralogy of the soils. The susceptibility-temperature variations (from ?190 to 700°C) infer maghemite (??-Fe₂O₃) as the chief mineral component of pedogenic origin, and the pure magnetite (Fe₃O₄) is of anthropogenic nature. Spatial distribution of ferrimagnetic concentration is in agreement with polluting sources. The post-monsoon redistribution pattern is greatly controlled by the surface runoff and topographic conditions. The study demonstrates that in a ferrimagnetically reach substrate like MMR, the spatial distribution patterns derived from routine concentration- and grain-size-dependent rock magnetic parameters integrated with topographic and seasonal attributes yield significant information on the style and surface re-distribution of anthropogenically loaded soils and sediments to identify its seasonal dumping. Alternatively, knowing the source of signal, the magnetic susceptibility can be further used as a robust parameter to produce detailed maps to monitor the pollutions in urban areas.     

A magnetic investigation of a loess/paleosol sequences record in Ili area

The pedogenic ferrimagnetic minerals have been considered to be the cause of magnetic susceptibility enhancement in loess deposits distributing in the Chinese Loess Plateau and Central Europe, while “wind intensity” mechanism is proposed to be responsible for the magnetic susceptibility enhancement of loess in Alaska and Siberia. However, the magnetic enhancement mechanism is still open for loess in Ili valley, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. To understand this, we conducted a rock magnetic investigation on Axike section that is located in Ili valley. Results show that transitional stage from magnetic (χ_lf) trough to magnetic (χ_lf) peak corresponds to soil units. The PSD and MD-grained magnetite dominate the magnetic properties of AXK sequences, and the main factor affecting magnetic properties is the concentration of ferrimagnetic fraction. For the “pedogenesis enhancement” and “wind intensity” model, it seems hard to explain the magnetic susceptibility enhancement in this area. For the concentration of fine-grained magnetite in magnetic mineral shows positive relationship with the intensity of pedogenesis, the magnetic parameters of loess deposit in Ili valley can be used to recover paleoclimatic variations.     

Mineral magnetic characterization of the Godavari river sediments: Implications to Deccan basalt weathering

Mineral magnetic analysis including thermo-magnetic studies and clay mineralogy on bed load and floodplain sediments from the Godavari river indicate distinct mineral assemblages. The floodplain sediments up to the delta region are characterised by unimodal ferrimagnetic mineralogy marked by the presence of maghemite and single domain magnetites derived from Deccan basalts. On the other hand the bed loads show varied magnetic mineral assemblages depicting greater local mixing from the non-basaltic bedrock province. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility and clay mineralogy of the floodplain samples show titanomagnetites (Fe₃O₄-Fe₂TiO₄), maghemite (χ _LF-Fe₂O₃) and smectite that are characteristic of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). Presence of this ferrimagnetically dominant unimodal assemblage up to the delta region and probably into the Bay of Bengal off the Godavari river is attributed to extensive chemical weathering of the basalt. The quantitative approach of mineral magnetism, therefore, can be used to study the paleomonsoon variability and its relation to Deccan basalt weathering from the Godavari-Bengal fan system.     

东秦岭地区黄土堆积的岩石磁学特征及磁化率增强机制探索

对东秦岭地区洛南盆地的上白川、刘湾和丹江上游的二龙山黄土剖面进行了岩石磁学研究。结果表明,大部分黄土和古土壤样品的磁性矿物以磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿为主,古土壤中亚铁磁性矿物的含量比黄土的多,极少数黄土样品以反铁磁性矿物为主。亚铁磁性矿物和反铁磁性矿物的含量随成土作用增强而增加,成土作用形成的细粒亚铁磁性矿物包括超顺磁性和单畴（似单畴）颗粒,但以单畴和（或）似单畴为主。古土壤磁化率增强与这些土壤成因的细粒亚铁磁性矿物含量有关,显示出受气候变化控制的特点。东秦岭地区黄土岩石磁学性质与黄土高原地区的相似,但也存在一定差异,而且三个剖面之间磁化率值整体差别较大。温湿的气候和复杂的山区地形可能是导致这种差异的原因。     

Environmental magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Chennai coastal sediments,Bay of Bengal,India

In this study, environmental magnetic, heavy metal and statistical analyses were conducted on 21 surface sediments collected from Chennai coast, India, to examine the feasibility of heavy metal pollution using magnetic susceptibility. The Chennai coastal sediment samples are dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals corresponding to magnetite-like minerals. The percentage of frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility reflects the presence of super-paramagnetic/single domain magnetic minerals in Chennai harbour, Cooum and Adayar rivers sediments. High pollution load index in sample E1, E2, CH7, C11, C12 and A16 is mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as, harbour activities, Cooum and Adayar rivers input and industrial effluent. Factor analysis shows that the magnetic concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) covary with the heavy metal concentrations, suggesting that the input of magnetic minerals and heavy metals in Chennai coastal sediments are derived from the same anthropogenic sources. Strong correlation obtained between pollution load index (PLI) and concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) for the polluted samples with magnetic susceptibility excess of 50×10^− 8 m³kg^− 1. Significant correlations between heavy metals and magnetic susceptibility point out the potential of magnetic screening/monitoring for simple and rapid proxy indicator of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments.     

西昆仑山黄土的岩石磁学特征及其磁化率增强机制

成壤过程中形成的细颗粒的软磁性矿物被认为是导致古土壤磁化率增加的主要原因。但近来的研究表明,在一些地区,尤其是靠近沙漠边缘的黄土-古土壤序列,源区对黄土磁化率的影响要远大于成壤作用。因此,有必要对不同地区、不同环境条件下的典型黄土堆积进行详细的岩石磁学研究。日前,我们在西昆仑山北侧钻取了一根长达671m的岩芯,这为研究极端干旱区黄土的岩石磁学性质提供了难得的契机。本文对第一期黄土钻探得到的207m岩芯进行了详细的岩石磁学研究,结果表明: 昆仑山黄土的主要载磁矿物为磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿,同时还含有少量的针铁矿、赤铁矿;  该地区磁化率的变化主要受源区粗颗粒的软磁性矿物含量的影响,成壤作用形成的细颗粒磁性矿物对磁化率的贡献极小;  磁化率、粒度在0.5Ma左右急剧升高和变粗,主要与气候干旱化加剧有关。     

长江中下游第四纪沉积物发育土壤磁性增强的环境磁学机制

对长江中下游第四纪沉积物 (Q₃ 黄土,Q₂ 红土和Q₃ 红土 )发育土壤的磁性增强现象及其物理机制进行了讨论。结果表明 :(1)铁磁性矿物是土壤磁性的主要载体,它们是成土过程中形成的稳定单畴 (SSD)和超顺磁性 (SP)态的次生磁性矿物,没有显示重要的反铁磁性矿物的贡献;(2 )土壤磁化率 (χ)的高低与成土过程产生的稳定单畴和超顺磁性颗粒呈极显著正相关,指示了风化成土作用的强度,磁化率可作为反映成土环境变化的代用指标;(3)频率磁化率 (χfd) 5 %可作为土壤中的超顺磁性颗粒存在与否的临界值,土壤 χfd值的高低同样反映了风化成土作用的强度,可用作研究第四纪环境变化的有用工具之一。     

九江红土的磁学特征及其环境意义

为了解南方红土磁性变化的机理,采用磁化率仪、扫描电子显微镜及X荧光光谱分析对九江红土剖面的磁性特征、磁性矿物的特征及风化程度进行了深入研究。研究结果表明,九江剖面上部砂土经历的风化改造强度弱于下部的网纹红土,而磁性强度高于下部网纹红土,磁性强度的增加与超顺磁颗粒及多畴磁铁矿的含量密切相关;风化强度的增加导致磁铁矿的晶形遭到破坏,同时导致红土中强磁性矿物向弱磁性矿物转化,这是造成网纹红土磁性强度低于砂土的主要原因;红土中的多畴磁铁矿并不是形成于风化成土作用过程中,而是来自红土原始母质的风化残留。从中更新世到晚更新世气候由湿热向冷干转变,风化作用强度逐渐减弱,导致上部砂土相对于网纹红土保留了更多的强磁性矿物。因此,红土中主要的载磁矿物并不是风化成土过程中的产物,其磁性特征不能反映气候环境的变化。     

长江口现代潮滩表层沉积物磁性特征和自生铁硫化物的分布*

以长江口崇明岛北支潮滩的3个潮滩为对象,在粒度测量和磁性分析的基础上,揭示了现代潮滩表层沉积物的磁性变化,探讨了磁性矿物、尤其是自生亚铁磁性矿物—硫复铁矿（Fe₃S₄）在潮滩沉积微相的分布规律及机制。研究结果表明：长江口潮滩表层沉积物的磁性特征由亚铁磁性矿物及超顺磁颗粒(SP)主导。淤积型中高潮滩磁铁矿以单畴(SD)和SP为主,侵蚀型潮滩的中低潮滩则更多假单畴/多畴(PSD/MD)晶粒,反映了水动力的分选及以细颗粒矿物溶解为主的早期成岩作用。此外,最东侧的北四滧港剖面潮上带—高潮滩芦苇带普遍存在自生亚铁磁性硫复铁矿,北堡港和新卫剖面的高潮滩也局部存在硫复铁矿,反映了本区高潮滩—潮上带丰富的有机质及细颗粒沉积物、加上有限的海水淹没时间,是早期成岩作用过程中生成硫复铁矿的主要机制。     

A preliminary study on the magnetic signatures of modern soil in Central Asia

In this study, magnetic techniques were used to characterize the surface soil from different geomorphologies (i.e., sand desert, oasis, Gobi, and dry lake) in Central Asia. Results demonstrate that the main magnetic minerals in the surface soil are magnetite, maghaemite and haematite with some paramagnetic materials. Cross plots of M _rs/M _s versus B _cr/B _c and χ_fd% versus χ_arm/saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) indicate that the main magnetic grain sizes in surface soil are pseudo single domain (PSD) and multidomain (MD). The samples from West China (i.e., Tarim basin and Junggar basin) are dominated by magnetic minerals with larger grain size, while those from North China (i.e., Alxa plateau, Erdos plateau, and Mongolia plateau) are dominated by fine magnetic minerals. The similarity in magnetic mineral constitutions between the Chinese loess and the surface soils from Central Asia implies that the loess originated from a vast area of arid, semi-arid regions of Central Asia. The low value of concentration-dependent magnetic parameters indicates that the low concentration of magnetic minerals in the surface soils from Central Asia and the magnetic enhancement from the pedogenic take place in both the loess and the paleosols, although the progress is stronger in the latter. Translated from Quaternary Sciences, 2006, 26(6): 937–946 [译自: 第四纪研究]     

Particle size contributions to bulk magnetic susceptibility in Chinese loess and paleosol

The magnetic enhancement of paleosol is observed in the Chinese loess. The origin of this magnetic enhancement is still very uncertain. It is, however, a key problem in correctly understanding the paleoclimatic significance of changes of magnetic susceptibility and in transferring the magnetic signals to paleoclimatic parameters. Two main models have been proposed to explain the mechanism of magnetic enhancement in paleosols: a depositional model and a pedogenic model. Together with composition and concentration, grain size distribution of magnetic minerals also plays an important role to the magnetic enhancement of paleosols. Systematic susceptibility measurements were carried out on the samples of the upper part (S₀ to top of L₂) of three loess sections from Jixian, Xifeng, and Xining, along an east–west transect in the loess plateau, China. The samples with the highest value of magnetic susceptibility in S₁ and the lowest value in L₂ of each section were selected as the representatives. These representatives were separated into different grain size fractions based on Stokes’ law for coarse grains and by centrifuge for fine grains. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility and mass have been carried out on these fractions. Results show that for the loesses magnetic susceptibility changes little in the fractions with different grain size and for the paleosols it increases with decreasing grain size. The magnitude of changes is bigger in the east (Jixian and Xifeng) than that in the west (Xining). The fraction with the finest particle size in paleosols does not show very high magnetic susceptibility values. A new approach is used to estimate the contribution of each fraction to total magnetic susceptibility. The contribution comes mainly from coarse grains (>10 μm) for loess samples. It reaches about 90%. The main contribution comes, however, from the particles with medium size (10–0.2 μm). The very fine grained particle (<0.3 μm), which is considered to be with the pedogenic origin, contributes little to the bulk magnetic susceptibility, no more than 3% because of their very little amount. This approach provides a sounder basis for the study of the origin of the magnetic susceptibility enhancement in paleosols and of the paleoclimatic significance of magnetic susceptibility of loess and paleosols.     

The Brunhes/Matuyama boundary and magnetic parameters related to climatic changes in Quaternary sediments of Argentina

Rock magnetic properties have been measured in a loess–paleosol sequence in the Gorina Quarry, which previously have been suggested to contain records of the Brunhes and part of the Matuyama polarity chrons. Lowest susceptibility values (below 50 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg) are generally related to intensive weathered horizons, whereas highest values are obtained in loess layers (250 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg) as a result of the greater ferromagnetic content in the parent material. The frequency-dependent part of susceptibility ranges between 0.5% and 6.8%; the higher value was obtained in B horizons of paleosols, which can be attributed to superparamagnetic contributions. Hysteresis loops indicate that the differences in ferrimagnetic and paramagnetic content in the sequence reflect the degree of pedogenesis. The same conclusion can be drawn with isothermal remanent magnetization. This point is relevant for determining past climatic changes because the wind-blown titanomagnetites from Cordillera de Los Andes during glacial periods were altered during interglacial periods. The mode of pedogenesis appears not only to control such alterations but also to produce other magnetic minerals.     

The Benedikt hydrothermal system (north-eastern Slovenia)

Records from magnetic signals in Buenos Aires loess–paleosol sequences have been published, but their relationship with environmental changes has been difficult to establish. Studies on the superparamagnetic (SP) population in present soils can help to understand these processes. Samples from present soils (Argiudolls) and a paleosol from the Buenos Aires Province (Argentina) were analyzed using low and room temperature magnetic measurements. They show that it is possible to support the hypothesis of a lognormal distribution of superparamagnetic particles, the median diameter near 15 nm. The presence of detritic pseudosingledomain (PSD) titanomagnetite, with low titanium content ranging between TM 28 and TM40, has been established. The linear correlation of SP content with ferrimagnetic susceptibility and with magnetization suggests that ferrimagnetic minerals drive the SP generation. Finally, it can be concluded that SP magnetic grains, in the Pampean plain, are generated by an inorganic process in adequate environmental pH and Eh of the soils.     

Geochemistry of magnetite and maghemite in soils in European Russia

A method is proposed for determining the proportions of soluble Fe oxides (magnetite, FeOFe₂O₃, and maghemite, γ-Fe₂O₃) based on the measured magnetic susceptibility before and after treatment of soil with the Tamm or Mehra-Jackson (DCB) reagents. The development of hydromorphism in steppe soils in Ciscausiaia is associated with an increase in the magnetite fraction and, consequently, the average magnetite: maghemite ratio increases from 0.8–0.9 to 1.1. In these soils, smectites facilitate magnetite oxidation to maghemite. Soddy-podzolic and dark humic soils in the Cis-Ural region are noted for low values of the magnetite: maghemite ratio (0.5 on average) due to maghemite predominance. Soils in the Cis-Ural region on cover red-earth clays inherit lithogenic Fe oxides: hematite and maghemite. Hydromorphism in humid environments in northern taiga is accompanied by a significant increase in the magnetite: maghemite ratio to 4–9. Some issues of Fe geochemistry in magnetite and maghemite are considered.     

Evidence for a simple pathway to maghemite in Earth and Mars soils

Soil magnetism is greatly influenced by maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), the presence of which is usually attributed to the following: (1) heating of goethite in the presence of organic matter; (2) oxidation of magnetite (Fe₃O₄); or (3) dehydroxylation of lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH). Formation of the latter two minerals in turn requires the presence of Fe(II) in the system. No laboratory experiment or soil study to date has shown whether maghemite can form from ferrihydrite, a poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxide [∼Fe_4.5(O,OH,H₂O)_13.5], below 250°C. However, ferrihydrite is the usual precursor of goethite (α-FeOOH) and hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), the most frequently occurring crystalline Fe(III) oxides in soils. Here is presented in vitro evidence that ferryhidrite can partly transform into maghemite at 150°C. This transformation occurs upon aging of ferrihydrite precipitated in the presence of phosphate or other ligands capable of ligand exchange with Fe-OH surface groups. This maghemite coexists with hematite and is a transient phase in the transformation of ferrihydrite to hematite, which is apparently stabilized by the adsorbed ligands. Its particle size is small (10 to 30 nm), and its X-ray diffraction pattern exhibits superstructure reflections. The possible formation of maghemite in Mars and in different Earth soils can partly be explained in the light of this pathway with minimal ad hoc assumptions.     

Supermagnetic enhancement,superparamagnetism, and archaeological soils

A range of mineral magnetic measurements have been carried out on archaeological sediments from Orkney and Cyprus. In a soil profile from Orkney, a magnetic enhancement factor of over 200 is observed in susceptibility data between the bedrock and a Norse sediment. The magnetic enhancement is associated with an increase in superparamagnetic grains probably caused by burning. Until now it has proved difficult to confirm the presence of superparamagnetic grains in natural samples using room temperature magnetic measurements. However, clear differences are to be found between the hysteresis loops of various magnetic domain states, including superparamagnetism. An algorithm has been developed to unmix hysteresis loops in terms of constituent domain states of ferrimagnetic iron oxides. Unmixing 128 hysteresis loops of archaeological sediments has shown that the dominant domain state in all sediments is superparamagnetic. Remarkably uniform superparamagnetic grain sizes of between 80 and 95 Å were found for all 128 sediments. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Research on elastoplastic damage constitutive model of intact Q2l loess in northwestern of China

Based on the unsaturated triaxial experiments for the intact fourth period Middle Pleistocene Epoch loess (Q₂l loess), the mechanical characteristic of Q₂l loess is studied. According to the continuum damage mechanics and elastic–plastic theory, the damage potential function and loading function were deduced. Besides, plastic deformation and irreversible damage deformation are supposed to obey Hyushin’s postulate. The elastoplastic damage constitutive model and damage evolution law of the unsaturated intact Q₂ loess are set up. Comparing the experiment curves with the computation result of this model, it is shown that the model can stimulate the mechanics characteristics of Q₂ loess well.