Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Pollution Based on Magnetic Analysis of Soil and Atmospheric Dustfall in Baiyin City, Northwestern China

Abstract

The characteristics of spatial-temporal distribution and sources for multiple environmental carriers (surface soil, soil profiles, atmospheric dustfall) from the typical industrial city of Baiyin in Northwestern China were studied by means of environmental magnetism. This study aims to contribute to the potential application of magnetic measurements in the case of multiple environmental carriers, for the evaluation and differentiation of urban pollution sources. Results show that background magnetic susceptibility of soil is 37 × 10−8 m3 kg−1, and that magnetite and hematite carry the magnetic properties. However, magnetic properties of urban soil and atmospheric dustfall are dominated by PSD magnetite. Magnetite content in soil samples is anomalously high surrounding metallurgical plant and slag dump (major industry district), of moderate value in the center of the city (major commercial district), and of low value in the west of city (Baiyin new zone). Vertical distribution of magnetite content in soil profile of waste land suggests that the pollutants are mostly enriched in the top 0–2 cm soil layers, while planting of crops near the industrial area may accelerate the transfer of contaminants deeper in the soil (2–30 cm); accordingly, reducing detrimental soil tillage practices can alleviate the vertical migration of pollution. Measurements of magnetic variations of atmospheric dustfall indicate that industrial emissions by factory chimneys and blowing dust from slag heap and mineral transport control the magnetic properties of dust, with slag heaps being the main pollution source since 2014. Governance of slag pollution is a primary task in resource-exhausted urban contexts. The combination of several magnetic parameters arising from multiple environmental carriers, such as soil and atmospheric dustfall, can provide comprehensive spatio-temporal information on environmental pollution.