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Milinovic J, Santos P, Sant'Ovaia H, Futuro A, Pereira CM, Murton BJ, Flores D, Azenha M. Multivariate analysis applied to X-ray fluorescence to assess soil contamination pathways: case studies of mass magnetic susceptibility in soils near abandoned coal and W/Sn mines. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:202. [PMID: 38696051 PMCID: PMC11065930 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Determining the origin and pathways of contaminants in the natural environment is key to informing any mitigation process. The mass magnetic susceptibility of soils allows a rapid method to measure the concentration of magnetic minerals, derived from anthropogenic activities such as mining or industrial processes, i.e., smelting metals (technogenic origin), or from the local bedrock (of geogenic origin). This is especially effective when combined with rapid geochemical analyses of soils. The use of multivariate analysis (MVA) elucidates complex multiple-component relationships between soil geochemistry and magnetic susceptibility. In the case of soil mining sites, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopic data of soils contaminated by mine waste shows statistically significant relationships between magnetic susceptibility and some base metal species (e.g., Fe, Pb, Zn, etc.). Here, we show how qualitative and quantitative MVA methodologies can be used to assess soil contamination pathways using mass magnetic susceptibility and XRF spectra of soils near abandoned coal and W/Sn mines (NW Portugal). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed how the first two primary components (PC-1 + PC-2) explained 94% of the sample variability, grouped them according to their geochemistry and magnetic susceptibility in to geogenic and technogenic groups. Regression analyses showed a strong positive correlation (R2 > 0.95) between soil geochemistry and magnetic properties at the local scale. These parameters provided an insight into the multi-element variables that control magnetic susceptibility and indicated the possibility of efficient assessment of potentially contaminated sites through mass-specific soil magnetism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Milinovic
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, CIQ‑UP, Institute of Molecular Sciences (IMS), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169‑007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Santos
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Pole of University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning FCUP, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Helena Sant'Ovaia
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Pole of University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning FCUP, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Aurora Futuro
- CERENA, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos M Pereira
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, CIQ‑UP, Institute of Molecular Sciences (IMS), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169‑007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bramley J Murton
- NOC, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Deolinda Flores
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Pole of University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Planning FCUP, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Azenha
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, CIQ‑UP, Institute of Molecular Sciences (IMS), University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169‑007, Porto, Portugal
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Guda AM, El Kammar AM, Abu Salem HS, Abu Khatita AM, Mohamed MA, El-Hemaly IA, Abd Elaal EM, Odah HH, Appel E. Integrated geochemical and magnetic potentially toxic elements assessment: a statistical solution discriminating anthropogenic and lithogenic magnetic signals in a complex area of the southeast Nile Delta. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:272. [PMID: 38363423 PMCID: PMC10873446 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12408-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Magnetic proxy approaches proved to be efficient for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution assessment when targeting forests or areas with a homogenous background where anthropogenic magnetic signals could be easily distinguished. Here, we present a multidisciplinary approach for magnetic susceptibility ([Formula: see text]) and HM assessment in a complex area in the Nile Delta, where geogenic input, land use, and various industries with different fly ash and surface water emissions interfere. Statistical analysis discriminates between the effects of lithologic elements and the concentrations of toxic anthropogenic elements. The studied elements are classified into lithogenic and anthropogenic-related (HMs, Au industry, and fertilizers industry) groups with maximum contamination levels of eight anthropogenic-related and highly toxic PTEs (Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb, Hg, and As) in the Akrasha industrial area (pollution load index = 15.84). Considering the whole data set, the numerical correlation of [Formula: see text] with most PTE concentrations and the pollution load index (PLI) is weak, while it is moderate to strong with lithogenic elements. However, a comparison of lithogenic elements and PTE concentrations along with x-values in two separate clusters supports the correspondence of lithology with elevated x-values in silt and clay-rich soil samples as well as HM concentration in industrial sandy soils. Correspondence between magnetic maps and chemistry data with land use reflects the potential of magnetic proxy methods for qualitative PTE pollution pre-delineation of the polluted spots, provided that lithological conditions are carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alshymaa Mohammad Guda
- Earth's Geomagnetism Lab, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), P.Box:11421, Helwan, Egypt.
| | | | | | - Atef Mohammady Abu Khatita
- Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Geology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Taibah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ibrahim Aly El-Hemaly
- Earth's Geomagnetism Lab, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), P.Box:11421, Helwan, Egypt
| | - Esmat Mohamed Abd Elaal
- Earth's Geomagnetism Lab, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), P.Box:11421, Helwan, Egypt
| | - Hatem Hamdy Odah
- Earth's Geomagnetism Lab, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), P.Box:11421, Helwan, Egypt
| | - Erwin Appel
- Department of Geosciences, Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany
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Górka-Kostrubiec B, Werner T, Karasiński G. Measuring magnetic susceptibility of particulate matter collected on filters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:4733-4746. [PMID: 38108987 PMCID: PMC10794260 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31416-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The magnetic susceptibility (κ) of particulate matter (PM) is a useful tool in estimation concentration of iron-rich particles and provides useful information on the emission sources and pathways of spread of PM in the atmosphere. However, there is currently no established protocol for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of PM collected on filters used in standard monitoring of PM concentration. This paper presents a step-by-step process for collecting PM on filters in automatic samplers and measuring their κ. The procedure outlines requirements for data quality, measurement uncertainty, exposure time and conditions, and the amount of material collected on the filters. The study analyzed a 2-year dataset of magnetic susceptibility measurements by MFK-1 kappabridge (Agico, Czech Republic) for PM10 and PM2.5 collected at two locations, Warsaw and Cracow, in Poland using low-volume PM samplers. By strictly following the procedure for conditioning filters, measuring magnetic susceptibility and mass of PM, the study found that it is possible to obtain repeatable data with good measurement accuracy and acceptable errors. This makes magnetic susceptibility an additional reliable parameter for tracking of emission sources of iron-rich particles. Successful implementation of this magnetic method as a standard procedure for monitoring PM in addition to the PM mass collected on filters could be used to analyze sources of emission of Fe-particles and their contribution to the PM mass, especially in urban and industrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Górka-Kostrubiec
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Księcia Janusza 64, 01-452, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Werner
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Księcia Janusza 64, 01-452, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Karasiński
- Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Księcia Janusza 64, 01-452, Warsaw, Poland
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Vorobeichik EL, Korkina IN. A bizarre layer cake: Why soil animals recolonizing polluted areas shape atypical humus forms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166810. [PMID: 37689209 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
During soil recolonization by macrofauna in areas previously defaunated by industrial pollution, non-typical humus forms are produced. Given that the evidence of zoogenic activity cessation with increased forest litter depth in these humus forms, we tested the hypothesis that the lower organic layers are more toxic than the upper ones. The studies were conducted in the southern taiga, near the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda city, Russia), in spruce-fir and birch forests. We investigated the series of degraded humus forms at different recovery stages, including those without signs of regradation, as well as at the initial and advanced recovery stages. In the organic layers, each of which were 1-2 cm thick and 6-8 cm in total, we measured the following parameters: pH(water), total acidity, the content of exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+, acid-soluble and exchangeable metals (Cu, Pb, Fe, Cd, and Zn), organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Simultaneously, we diagnosed the degree of zoogenicity of the organic layers following the European morpho-functional classification of humus forms. Concentrations of the metals increased with forest litter depth, reaching a maximum at the boundary between the organic and organic-mineral horizons (the difference exceeded an order of magnitude). In the same direction, the acidity increased, but the saturation of the exchange complex with Ca2+ and Mg2+ decreased. Within a particular forest litter profile, metal concentrations and acidity were lower in the layer with the highest zoogenicity compared to the layer with the lowest zoogenicity. Based on the metals, pH(water), and exchange complex, the accuracy of the predictions of the degree of layer zoogenicity within the OF horizon in the discriminant analysis reached 100 %. These findings suggest that the vertical gradient of toxic burden persisting in the forest litter after pollution cessation can explain the recovery pattern of humus forms in the contaminated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii L Vorobeichik
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Marta Str. 202, 620144 Yekaterinburg, Russia.
| | - Irina N Korkina
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 8 Marta Str. 202, 620144 Yekaterinburg, Russia.
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