The use of magnetic susceptibility measurements to determine pollution of agricultural soils in road proximity

Abstract

This research work presents a study on the application of magnetic susceptibility measurements and geochemical analysis for mapping or assessing heavy metal pollution in the agricultural soil in road proximity. The research work was also done to check any runoff of heavy metals pollution to the Owabi dam which serves as the main water sources to catchment areas and the whole of Kumasi Metropolis. This research work was conducted along the asphalt road closed to Amamfrom Community in the southern part of Ghana. The study revealed that magnetic susceptibility measurements can be used as a proxy and fastest method of determining heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils. The results showed three most important trends: 1) the samples collected near the road have higher values of magnetic susceptibility and mean heavy metals content than those collected far from the road exhaust; 2) some of the sample areas undisturbed by erosion and weathering have significant magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals contents; 3) some of the sample areas washed away by erosion are believed to be deposited in Owabi Dam due to their low ground reliefs. Therefore, future research should concentrate on Owabi Dam which may be polluted by the runoff from these heavy metals.

Key words: Magnetic susceptibility, heavy metal, pollution, road proximity.