Relating Magnetic Susceptibility and Organic Matter Content in Agricultural Soils

Abstract

Ferromagnetic mineral formation in soils and paleosols often leads to enhanced soil magnetism. The magnetic properties of soils have been directly or indirectly linked to the organic matter. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between magnetic susceptibility and organic matter content of soils used for agriculture. Soil samples and field magnetic susceptibility measurements have been collected in Lehliu area, Romania. Laboratory magnetic susceptibility measurements and estimation of organic matter content by Loss on Ignition have been performed. Although magnetic susceptibility is reported in literature to correlate with the organic matter content in soils and paleosols, the particularities of the terrains used for agriculture lead to a lack of correlation from this point of view. Though the study has emphasized a relationship between the type of soils and the measured organic matter content and magnetic susceptibility distribution.