The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χ LF , χ ARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for urban street dust collected from Southport (Merseyside, UK) is explored. Correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and traditional particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay) and respiratory health related size classes (i.e. PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1.0 ) are reported. Significant relationships (p <0.001; n = 50) exist between sand, silt and clay content with at least one or all of the magnetic concentration parameters. This is also the same for each PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1.0 sizes. Of the three magnetic parameters, χ LF displays the strongest correlation values (r = 0.701, P <0.001, n = 50) and is the most significant parameter, which is consistent with all class sizes of each approach. In doing so, these associations indicate mineral magnetic measurements have considerable potential as a particle size proxy for determining urban roadside particulate matter concentrations. Given the speed, low-cost and sensitivity of the measurements, this suggests magnetic techniques could potentially be used as an alternative and/or complementary exploratory technology for pilot particulate pollution investigations. Furthermore, in certain instances, it could be useful for examining linkages between respiratory health and particulate pollution and vehicle emissions.

The Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health (SEGH) is a forum for multidisciplinary interaction relating the geochemical environment to health. With national funding, SEGH identified collaborative opportunities through the MULTITUDE series of workshops (2007-2011). We reviewed the meetings by electronic questionnaire (39 % response). Smaller meetings saw most returning delegates, suggesting networking and personal interaction is a key positive feature of SEGH; 31 % of practitioners and 25 % of academics participated in more than one meeting. Collaboration between SEGH participants resulted in joint funding (13 academics, 4 practitioners, 1 other) and joint papers (19, 5, 3). Evidence of behavioural change was seen in comments in five themes regarding the impacts of the conferences: support for current direction; impact on education practice (academics); new approaches; networking; multidisciplinary work. Multidisciplinary meetings and resulting networking were seen as having real value by many respondents, who encouraged further active pursuit of these activities. SEGH is eager to continue these activities which transform research, education and practice, resulting in a better understanding of the structure and processes comprising the broad geochemical environment on health. Comments showed the value and strength of small, well-organised conferences, bringing together a mixed group of disciplines, both research and applied, in a relaxed atmosphere. The absence of serious negative critique along with clear, positive comments suggests that there is a substantial level of support for, and even pleasure in, SEGH multidisciplinary conferences and workshops over the past years. It is encouraging that annual European conferences are viewed as such a positive achievement.

Sediment pathways and links to offshore processes are considered in the textural and magnetic characteristics of sediments of the intertidal flats and salt marshes of the north Sefton Coast, UK. In addition, sediment from a range of intertidal, marine and fluvial locations within the northwest region has similarly been characterised. Subsequently, the characteristics of these regional sediments, using a multivariate statistical approach of R-and Q-mode factor analyses, have been used to investigate the sediment transport pathways of the north Sefton Coast sediment. The benefits of fractionating sediment samples have been observed, and by using combinations of textural and isothermal remanent magnetic measurements, specific environments within the research have been successfully differentiated and characterised. Linkages between potential sediment source areas have also been established on a particle size-related basis.