Irregular Magnetic Susceptibility Pattern of Iron Sand from Pasia Jambak Beach, Pasia Nan Tigo, Padang, Indonesia

Abstract

West Sumatra has the potential of abundant natural resources in the form of iron sand, one of which is located in the Pasia Jambak Beach area, Pasia Nan Tigo, Padang. Basically iron sands have magnetite (Fe3O 4), hematite (α-Fe2O 3), and maghemite (γ-Fe2O 3) which can be used as a mineral of high economic value. However, the iron sand of Pasia Jambak Beach, Pasia Nan Tigo, has no known magnetic mineral. This study aims to investigate the magnetic mineral content of the iron sand of Pasia Jambak Beach, Pasia Nan Tigo, Padang based on its magnetic susceptibility. The variation of the investigated susceptibility value is based on depth. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out using a Bartington Magnetic Susceptibility Meter with a MS2B sensor dual frequency. The results showed that the magnetic susceptibility value of the iron sand of Pasia Jambak Beach, Pasia Nan Tigo, Padang varied based on the depth from 291.1 x 10-8 m3/kg to 12445.5 x 10-8 m3/kg with an average value of 2016.35 x 10-8 m3/kg. Variations in the susceptibility value of iron sand obtained at each depth have changes or variations in the susceptibility value that are irregular or do not have a certain pattern.