The influence of soil type on the magnetic susceptibility measured throughout soil profiles

Abstract

The interpretation of soil susceptibility measurements depends on knowledge of a reference value. This reference value will be influenced by the type of soil. In the present study, data of various soil types, which formed on diverse parent material, are analysed. As the same data set has been used in a soil pollution study, we are able to estimate and exclude the influence of pollution. Susceptibility values of unpolluted soils turn out to significantly depend on the soil type. Chernozem samples yield the highest susceptibility values of the analysed soil types (50–90 × 10−8 m3 kg−1). Cambisol displays intermediate values (20–60 × 10−8 m3 kg−1) and waterlogged soils have the lowest values (5–20 × 10−8 m3 kg−1). The enrichment of topsoil susceptibility (0–20 cm depth) compared to subsoil susceptibility (40–50 cm depth) depends more on the parent material than on the soil type. Given the comparability of soil type and parent material, the values of this study can be used to identify soils with unusual susceptibility values, which may be further analysed in order to pinpoint soil pollution.