Assessing the quality of pipe borne water using Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements
Magnetic susceptibility measurements and chemical analysis were performed on samples of water taken from the academic and residential areas of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, Kumasi. The aim of these measurements was to see if water delivered through metallic pipes was clean. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed using the Bartington MS2 magnetic susceptibility meter, with MS2G single frequency sensor and the chemical analysis was performed with the Varian SpectrAA 220FS Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Results of the measurements showed that the water samples had negative magnetic susceptibility (χ) values of the order of 10 –5 and were thus diamagnetic. The χ values obtained for the samples were between –1.3  10 -6 SI and –1.23  10 -5 SI for the Academic Area (sampled colleges) and –3.0  10 -7 SI and –8.7 10 -6 SI for the Residential Area (sampled Halls of residence). Chemical analysis of the samples showed variation in the concentrations of iron and zinc. Regression analysis of their concentrations with their χ values revealed zinc to have a strong inverse relationship with a correlation coefficient of 73%. Although the study showed some level of metallic contamination in the water samples of average concentration of 0.03mg/l, these were well below the concentration of 3mg/l which is of detrimental concern as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). This makes drinking water from the study area safe for drinking.
Magnetic susceptibility and heavy-metal contamination in topsoils along the Izmit Gulf coastal area and IZAYTAS (Turkey)
article i nfo Article history: The study on topsoil contamination due to heavy metals was carried out by using the Magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements in Izmit industrial city, northern Turkey. We attempted to investigate correlations between the concentration of selected heavy metals and the MS from 41 sample sites around Izmit Gulf. These investigations let us quantify and standardize the MS method, which may have consequences for long term monitoring of anthropogenic pollution, especially in urban areas. The MS surfer contour map based on the topsoil measurements was compiled with a randomly ranged distance density. The soil samples collected throughout the industrial areas, the parks, road sides and residential areas were also analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Heavy metals Cu, Ni, Cr and Pb show strong correlations with MS, while Zn and Co show a weak correlation with MS. Moreover, the Tomlinson pollution load index (PLI) shows insignificant correlation with the MS. The MS was examined vertically (0-30 cm) with respect to anthropogenic and/or lithogenic influences at the fourteen sample sites. The maximum values were mostly observed in depths of 2-5 cm and the MS values on the depth profiles vary between 10×10
Magnetic monitoring of marine particulate pollution in the Elefsis Gulf, Greece
Abstract Measurements of magnetic susceptibility (χ) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) on both filtered particulates and sediment samples provide a cheap, rapid and non-destructive method of particulate pollution monitoring in marine environments where ferrimagnetic iron oxides are important components of the discharge from industrial or urban complexes. The value of this approach is illustrated by reference to results obtained from the Elefsis Gulf, Greece, where the major source of particulate metal pollution is an iron and steel works discharging waste into a settling lagoon connected to the waters of the Gulf.