Problems and Potential of Mineral Magnetic Measurements as a Soil Particle Size Proxy/Magnetinių Mineralų Matavimų, Siekiant Jais Pakeisti Granuliometrinės Sudėties Analizę, Problemos Ir Potencialas/ Проблемы И Потенциальные Возможности Применения Магнитных Измерений Минералов Для Замены Анализа Гранулометрического Состава Почвы

Abstract

Abstract. The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χ LF , χ ARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for soil samples collected from the Isle of Man (British Isles) is explored as an alternative means of normalizing particle size effects. Comparison of soil-related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) and cumulative size fractions (e.g. clay + fine silt) are reported. Both χ LF and χ ARM parameters reveal significant (p <0.05; n = 46), but relatively weak (r s = 0.297 and 0.369), associations with clay content, while χ LF , χ ARM and SIRM parameters have no significant relationship with sand and silt content or any discrete or cumulative size fractions. Contrary to earlier research findings, this indicates that magnetic measurements are not always a suitable particle size proxy and it is only certain environments and/or specific settings that are appropriate for granulometric normalization by this technique. However, if future researchers working in other soil settings can identify a formal predictable relationship, the technique is known to offer a simple, reliable, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and non-destructive approach that could be a valuable particle size proxy for normalizing particle size effects in soil contamination studies.

Application of mineral magnetic concentration measurements as a particle size proxy for urban road deposited sediments

“…Moreover, Booth et al [16] suggested χ LF , χ ARM and SIRM have potential as a particle size proxy for several sedimentary environments, but highlights the importance of fully determining the nature of the relationship between sediment particle size and magnetic properties before applying mineral magnetic data as a size proxy. More recently, this was further explored by Booth et al [27] who discussed potential problems of employing this technology. When data presented here are compared to these earlier investigations, it is apparent that the trends observed are mostly similar to previous studies (e.g.…”