MAGNETIC METHOD OF ZAPORIZHZHYA SOIL POLLUTION ASSESSMENT: ECOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMISTRY JUSTIFICATION

The paper is devoted to the study of the magnetic properties and content of heavy metals in soils from Zaporizhzhya area ? a powerful industrial center. During the study it was found that low-frequency magnetic susceptibility ( XLF ) of soils varies within the range 61... 4087×10-8 m3/kg with a median value 271×10-8 m3 /kg, and the frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility ( Kfd ) is 0...13.3% with a median value 2.0%. The low XLF and high Kfd values, that are typical of natural soils, are observed on the right-bank of the western outskirts of the city, and low values Kfd <2% and XLF >10-5 м3/кг are confined to the main industrial zone where steel-mills are situated. Observed correlations between magnetic parameters and heavy metals content in soils allow us to recommend magnetic method for evaluation and monitoring of ecologicalconditionsin of the Zaporizhzhya city. Maps that indicate spatial distribution of XLF and Pollution Load Index (PLI) of soils have shown that the river Dnieper prevents spreading of dust and gas pollution on the right bank of the city.