Heavy metals contamination and magnetic susceptibility in soils around metallurgical plant

Abstract

A non-conventional way of utilizing magnetic susceptibility — soil kappametry — was tested in the area of a major metallurgical plant VSŽ Košice (East Slovakia). Magnetic susceptibility values above background in soil samples indicate higher concentrations of heavy metals in soil, i.e. the soil kappametry can be used as a preliminary quick and inexpensive method for detection of higher heavy metal contents in soils.