Environmental Profile Assessment in a Highly Industrialized Area Through Magnetic Susceptibility Spatial Variations and Morphological Study of Magnetic Particles: The Case of Sarigiol Basin (Greece)

Abstract

Two sets of sediment samples were collected from the Sarigiol basin, Greece, aiming to evaluate the environmental consequences of the industrial activity in the area by assessing their magnetic properties with the magnetic susceptibility method. Chemical composition and morphological characteristics of magnetic particles were defined by EDX analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Based on the results, most of the study area shows positive values of the difference between XLF values of the samples, indicating the influence of fly ash dispersion from Agios Dimitrios and Kardia power plants and the conveyor belt, down to a depth of 50 cm. Negative values in the NE, W and S parts of the study area are attributed to ophiolite complexes. Anthropogenic and lithogenic magnetic particles were identified at a 50 cm depth, in the form of spheres and octahedrons, respectively. Fe is the dominant element while Al, Si, Mg and Ca were found in minor amounts. Cr increases with depth, pointing mainly to a lithogenic source, while Ti decreases, suggesting a relationship with the dispersed fly ash particles. Mn and Zn were found in limited magnetic spheres. These findings highlight the need for effective environmental management strategies and are valuable keys for soil pollution control.