Magnetic Particles In Soils And Epiphytes In The Zone Of Influence Of A Ferrous Metallurgy Factory In The City Of Perm

Abstract

The intensification of industrial production leads to an increase in the technogenic impact on the environment. Minerals containing iron are sensitive to many environmental processes and analysis of the composition of magnetic particles is relevant in the study of environmental pollution. This study focused on urban soils of near-trunk circles and epiphytic mosses on Populus nigra L. in the territory of Motovilikhinsky district of Perm, where a metallurgical plant is located. In this work, using electron probe microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy, we analyzed the magnetic susceptibility (MS), morphology, and chemical composition of magnetic particles isolated from urban soils and epiphytic mosses. The content of heavy metals in the studied soils exceeds the clarkes of chemical elements (CCE) in the upper continental crust: Cr - 286 times, Mn - 15 times, Fe - 11 times, Ti - 4 times, Mg - 4 times. The study of the chemical composition of epiphytes made it possible to assess the contribution of aerial sources to soil pollution. The concentrations of metals in the magnetic particles of epiphytes also exceed the Clarke values: Cr - 3257 times, Fe - 8 times, Ti - 7 times, Mg - 4 times. The similarity of the morphology and chemical composition of the magnetic particles of soils and epiphytes indicate common sources of pollution. A comprehensive assessment of the state of the territory may include magneto-geochemical monitoring of the soil cover and monitoring of the magnetic state of epiphytes on Populus nigra L.