Changes in the magnetic properties of a tropical red soil following the conversion of forest into agricultural land

Abstract

Land uses have a large impact on the magnetic properties of soil. Understanding the changes in such properties caused by different land uses will help to correctly explain and apply magnetic parameters. In this study, the magnetic susceptibility, magnetic mineral types, and magnetic domain state of iron oxide particles in soil after the transformation of a forest into a tea garden and cornfield in a tropical area were compared. 1)The vertical distribution characteristics of soil magnetism under the three land uses in tropical red soil area were similar. The magnetic properties of soil in the 0–20 cm surface layer was significantly different, but there were no significant differences below 20 cm. The low-frequency mass magnetic susceptibility and anhysteretic susceptibility of topsoil were largest in the cornfield, followed by the forest and tea garden, and the magnetic susceptibility of the topsoil in the cornfield was significantly higher than in the tea garden and forest. 2)The magnetic minerals in tropical red soil area were mainly ferrimagnetic minerals (maghemite and magnetite). The content of ferrimagnetic minerals decreased with depth, while the content of antiferromagnetic minerals (hematite) increased. 3)The magnetic particles were mainly composed of superparamagnetic (SP), single domain (SD), and pseudo single domain (PSD) particles. The magnetic differences in the topsoil were mainly caused by changes in the ferrimagnetic mineral concentration of SD particles. Tea garden and cornfield are the two main agricultural land in the study area. Through the correct application of magnetic parameters, it is helpful to monitor the influence of land use change on soil properties, so as to provide the necessary reference for the rational use of soil.