Magnetic Susceptibility of Soils in the Areas Influenced by Industrial Emissions

Abstract

The magnetic susceptibility in forest soils of Katowice province is largest in the litter layer, mainly in the Of and Oh horizons. In the arable soil near steel plants the magnetic susceptibility was greatest in the ploughed layer (20–25 cm). The magnetic susceptibility is due largely to industrial emissions of metallurgical dust, cement dust and fly ash from combustion of pulverized hard coal. The large magnetic susceptibility is accompanied by substantial contents of heavy metals. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of forest soil litter may be used in soil monitoring to ascertain the presence of ferromagnetics of anthropogenic origin.