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On June 1, 2024, a new INTERREG CE project was launched: PoLaRecCE – New chance for Polluted Lands: Recovery of agricultural soil function by non-food farming and adapted soil management at degraded sites.

Lead partner

Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Environmental Magnetism and Reclamation

Project partner:

10 partners from 6 countries (Italy, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and Poland)

Duration

Start date: 06.2024

End date: 11.2026 

Project overview

New chance for Polluted Lands: Recovery of agricultural soil function by non-food farming and adapted soil management at degraded sites

In many of our regions, agricultural soils are contaminated by various pollutants. Moreover, these lands are still used for growing food or animal feed, leading to an uncontrolled uptake of pollutants into the human food chain. The PoLaRecCE project works on a sustainable land management programme and tests cutting-edge tools and techniques to remediate degraded soils for non-food agricultural production. The partners disseminate knowledge gained from pilot areas and propose economically viable solutions to support the agricultural production of non-foods or environmentally-friendly conversion of contaminated soils.

Website project: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/polarecce/

The new scientific project entitled: “The origin of iron minerals in soils with high permeability and determination of soil diagnostic horizons using magnetic proxies” was officially launched on 16^th of January, 2024, during the kickoff meeting in the Izerka village, located near the Czech-Polish border. This research  is funded by the Polish National Science Center and the Czech Science Foundation.

Recently soil magnetometry has been proposed as an emerging technique for detecting and determining potential soil pollution. The problem of separating the anthropogenic magnetic signal from its natural background is a key issue. For this purpose the knowledge on the distribution of magnetic signal in different types of soil profiles has a crucial importance. Magnetic properties of soils have been used widely in assessing topsoil pollution, soil degradation and erosion, history of land use, reclamation/recultivation, etc. This research is mostly facilitated by highly sensitive and fast measurements of magnetic susceptibility. The efficacy of the method used for pollution study is usually based on magnetically enhanced shallow layer due to atmospherically deposited iron-oxide particles, which occurs usually on the boundary between organic horizon (mostly humus layer) and mineral (mostly illuvial) horizons. In soils with well-developed soil profile this effect is observed in depths to about 10 cm. In the case of highly-permeable soils with low content of humus a high dynamics of migration of magnetic particles can be expected. In such case a significant mixing of particles of anthropogenic and natural origin may be observed.

The main research hypothesis assumes that iron oxides in soils are of different origin, including lithogenic, anthropogenic and pedogenic contribution. Environmental-magnetic methods provide information on composition, concentration, and relative grain-size distribution of iron oxides. This project focuses on soils mostly located in forest areas, with weakly developed (or lack of) humus layer, high permeability and specific arrangement of soil horizons in the profile. Thus, contrary to other common soil types, no distinct, well pronounced magnetically enhanced layer is expected to occur on the bottom of humus horizon. In the case of initial soils such as Podzols, Arenosols, Cambisols or Regosols, we assume that atmospherically deposited anthropogenic iron oxides can migrate in the soil profile further down and reach the mineral horizons in significant amounts. In such situation, their magnetic properties may significantly change, which can be an indication of pollution by other substances including potentially toxic elements.

The project aims at developing new geophysical tool, based on soil magnetism, which can be applied in soil taxonomy for identification of diagnostic horizons. The reliability, accuracy and applicability of magnetic properties for soil taxonomy and identification of certain diagnostic parameters will be assessed using statistical and geostatistical methods.

We expect to answer the question if downward migration (to mineral horizons) of ferrimagnetic particles of anthropogenic origin is possible in soils with relatively high permeability, which causes mixing of natural and anthropogenic particles. We expect to identify different sources of magnetic particles in the soils (e.g. lithogenic, pedogenic and anthropogenic) by using a combination of various magnetic parameters together with an advanced geostatistical analyses. We also expect to develop new tool for faster and cheaper identification of diagnostic soil horizons, which will be useful in soil taxonomy of soil types, in which iron minerals plays the crucial role.

The aim of the project was to assess the impact of various types of noise barriers and road embankments on the spread and deposition of solid road pollutants. The research covered soil and plant material samples collected near (in front of and behind) various noise barriers ("green wall", plexiglass, sawdust concrete, metal and earth embankments) within the Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa (DTŚ; DW902). The work uses integrated geophysical and geochemical methods, which allowed for the identification of roadside pollutants.

The research conducted so far has shown that road traffic has a limited impact on the condition of the soil, and most of the transport pollution is deposited in the immediate vicinity of the road (up to approx. 10 m). Thanks to the works carried out during the project implementation, it was proved that the situation changes when there are noise barriers in the vicinity of the road. These barriers significantly affect the migration of transport pollutants, increasing their range. Research has shown that at a distance of approx. 10 - 15 m behind the noise barriers, there was an area of increased magnetic susceptibility and a higher content of metals and metalloids in the soil. This phenomenon was also observed in plant samples at a distance of approx. 15 m behind the noise barriers.

The increase in the value of magnetic susceptibility, as well as the content of heavy metals at greater distances from the screens is the result of the wind blowing away pollutants from the road. When the wind that carries dust pollutants encounters some barriers e.g. in the form of an acoustic screen, the wind flow is amplified and the pollutants are lifted higher above the screen. This phenomena enlarges the range of transported pollutants which are deposited farther than in the case when the barriers do not exist. It should be assumed that in places where high residential buildings are located right behind noise barriers, people are exposed to direct deposition of transport pollution. In turn, in rural areas, at such a distance from the screens, home gardens where vegetables and fruits are grown are very often created. They can pose a threat to the population due to the possible accumulation of metals and metalloids from the soil in their edible parts.

Another environmental hazards are the acoustic barriers with panels made from galvanized steel which are use very often. This kind of construction is not appropriate for our climate conditions. Galvanized elements (especially steel panels) are susceptible to winter road maintenance agents (e.g. sodium chloride) and corrode very easily. Corroding fragments are deposited in soils and cause increase in content of zinc which is an easy migrating element.

Metal acoustic barrier at DTŚ

The main outcome of the project was the development of guidance for an optimized, two-step integrated geophysical-geochemical method for assessing soil and groundwater contamination, which forms the basis for the development of a standard screening method called "Guideline for the screening of soil polluted with toxic elements using soil magnetometry," published as ISO 21226: 2019. The project developed detailed procedures for each testing step, from initial magnetic identification, identification and delineation of potentially contaminated areas, sampling and preparation procedures, geochemical analysis, and interpretation and evaluation procedures. This method has been validated in different areas (forests, post-industrial areas, agricultural areas, urban areas) for different scenarios related to different pollution sources, climatic conditions, soil types and geological backgrounds.In all investigated areas in Norway and Poland the same measuring methods were used and the content of 50 elements was determined according to the standard procedure ICP-MS after mineralisation in 50% HNO3. As found during the investigation, the correlation between magnetic susceptibility (κ) and element content is strongly dependent on the source of pollution. Therefore, in order to assess the degree of pollution, the pollution index (PLI) was calculated and different element groups were selected for the calculation of PLI depending on the source of pollution. In the case of the areas affected by the urban source, the highest correlations were observed between κ and the content of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, while in the case of ferrous metallurgy, mainly Fe, Cr, Ni and W were associated with technogenic magnetic particles (TMP). In the vicinity of Ni-Cu smelters, positive κ correlations were observed for Cu, Ni, Sn, As, Se, Mo, Co, W and S, while the source of Zn, Pb may be wastes from processing of Pb-Zn, Cd, Sn, Cu ores, Tl, Ba, As and Se. Ombrotrophic peatlands as archives of TMP and chemical pollutants were also investigated according to the methodology developed in the project and tested by precise radiocarbon dating of peat layers with increased magnetic susceptibility and metal content. An increase in the magnetic signal in peat bogs, regardless of their location, was observed from the mid-18th century (Industrial Revolution) layer onwards.

ISO 21226: 2019 Presentation

The region of Tarnowskie Góry and Miasteczko Śląskie was one of the centres for the exploitation of silver and lead ores as well as for the exploitation of bog iron ore in the period from the 13th to the 17th century. Traces of this exploitation can be found in the soils and peat bogs of the Brynica and Stoła valleys. The possibility of using the method of soil magnetometry in the research area is related to the fact that all metallurgical processes (including primitive ones) form "technogenic magnetic particles" (TMPs), which have ferromagnetic properties and whose presence in the soil or peat layer can be detected using simple techniques of soil magnetometry. The main objective of the project was to determine the chemical composition, morphology and mineral forms, as well as the magnetic properties of historical TMPs and to compare them with the TMPs emitted into the atmosphere in recent decades, as well as to identify the nature of the magnetic anomalies occurring in the Brynica and Tables valleys. Field measurements of magnetic susceptibility (in the upper soil layer up to 10 cm) and gradiometric measurements (to a depth of 1 m) made it possible to precisely locate the sites of soil magnetic anomalies, and analysis of the vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility values measured in the collected soil cores made it possible to locate the soil layer where they occur. TMPs. Morphological, mineralogical and chemical analyses of about 100 TMPs showed that they are mainly particles of slags, ores, ceramics, coke breeze and charcoal encrusted on the surface with a layer of iron oxides, crusts covering sandstone fragments. The analysis of the content of heavy metals and the vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility of peat profiles collected in the study area showed high correlations between the presence of metals such as Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Sn, the distribution of the magnetic signal and the presence of charcoal and radiometric dating. The dating also showed that the first visible increase in lead content was already visible in peat layers from around 1000 BC, and copper even in layers corresponding to the age of 2500 BC, which could indicate much earlier human activity in the area. In addition, magnetic measurements in the study area were used to determine the location of two archaeological sites from the Mesolithic and the Middle Ages, where initial archaeological work was carried out based on the research results.

The aim of the project was to use the results of five different geophysical methods (ground magnetometry, magnetic gradiometry, conductometry, electrofusion measurements and excited potential measurements) to precisely determine the extent of anthropogenic layers lying beneath the surface of the terrain. The research was carried out in several exemplary areas where mining and metallurgical activities were documented in different historical periods. The second objective of the research was to use chemical methods to determine whether the accumulation of large quantities of potentially toxic metals in the anthropogenic layer could pose a real ecological threat to the surrounding water and soil environment. The first part of the investigation was based on soil magnetometric measurements, which determined the differences in magnetic susceptibility between anthropogenic and natural soil layers. In the areas where magnetic anomalies were detected, conductometric measurements of electrofusion and excited potentials were performed. Using the integrated data from these methods, the area of anthropogenic layers lying in the soil substrate or the impact area of the aboveground industrial waste dumps was precisely determined. Soil samples were taken from the anthropogenic layers and subjected to chemical-mineralogical analysis, based on which the type and chemical-mineralogical composition of the analysed soil layer or waste were precisely determined. In the next step, samples were taken from the adjacent soil and water layers (superficial or subcutaneous) that are in direct contact with the layer or waste site under study to determine whether the toxic elements contained in the anthropogenic layer are subject to activation and migration into the environment and whether they may pose a real hazard. The research made it possible to review the state of knowledge on the possibility of integrating five different geophysical methods to determine more precisely the spatial extent of anthropogenic layers and/or layers containing artefacts, and allowed a better characterisation of the magnetic and geoelectric properties of the anthropogenic materials present in these layers. The feasibility of the ecological threat in the studied areas was also assessed.

Almost all urban and industrial dusts emitted into the atmosphere from various sources and eventually deposited in the soil contain a magnetic fraction. This fraction is known in the literature as "technogenic magnetic particles" (TMP). TMPs are iron minerals (mainly oxides) of anthropogenic origin that form during high-temperature processes from various forms of iron originally contained in raw materials, additives or fuels of various industries. Due to their ferrimagnetic properties, their presence in the soil environment, even in small quantities, can be detected by simple magnetic measurements (e.g. magnetic susceptibility).

Since TMPs are carriers of many toxic and potentially toxic elements (mostly metals and metalloids), the measured values of magnetic susceptibility often correlate strongly with the content of these pollutants in the uppermost soil layers and are also used as an indicator of soil contamination. Previous studies carried out on urban and industrial dusts showed that TMPs emitted from different sources have different magnetic properties, certainly due to their different internal structure and mineral composition. The aim of the project was to investigate in detail the magnetic properties of TMPs present in the uppermost soil layers in areas that are now (or were in the near past) under the influence of certain emission sources (iron mining and metallurgy, steel production, coke production, cement and glass industries, transport, railways, etc.) and to determine the distinguishing parameters between and natural iron minerals present in soils and also between TMPs originating from different pollution sources. It was also important to answer the question of whether it is possible to identify the origin of TMPs found in soil in relation to the pollution source based on the combination of magnetic parameters. The results also provide a better understanding of the role of TMPs in transporting PTEs into the soil environment and their use as an indicator of pollution.

The project results have shown that natural magnetite, which is present in soils as a result of weathering of the bedrock, and TMP differ significantly in their internal structure. In the case of TMP, which also has a spinel structure similar to natural magnetite, the defects in the crystal lattice are large. In addition to numerous defects and deformations in the crystal lattice, there are numerous substitutions of iron ions by cations of other metals. This affects the magnetic properties of these structures and both the analysis of the magnetic parameters (e.g. magnetisation and remanent magnetisation, magnetic coercivity parameters, etc.) and the Moessbauer spectra made it possible to distinguish natural magnetite from technogenic particles quite easily. During the project implementation, the characteristic magnetic and geochemical parameters of TMP were described and defined from different sources, resulting in a set of indicative parameters. Magnetic particles present in the topsoil near open pit iron mines, processing plants or mining dumps were found to be structurally similar to natural magnetite. These particles were termed anthropogenic because they enter the topsoil through human activities, but they are not typical TMP produced in high-temperature technological processes. They are characterised by a slightly lower stoichiometry compared to natural magnetite, which is due to the substitution of iron by Ti in the spinel structure or to structural defects caused by weathering processes in the tailings. An important feature of the particles originating from these sources was also a relatively high proportion of stoichiometric haematite. For TMP from soils surrounding old industrial sites that have been in operation for over 150 years, Moessbauer spectroscopy analyses showed a significant degree of oxidation and surface maghemitisation. TMP from traffic sources showed quite a wide range of magnetic parameters, but the distinguishing feature was the presence of metallic iron particles, which were easily identified from the shape of the thermomagnetic analysis curve. In the forest soil samples collected near iron and steel plants, a high correlation was found between the value of magnetic susceptibility and the content of Cr, Ni and Mn. These metals are typical of emissions from iron metallurgy. These elements showed much lower values of the correlation coefficient with magnetic susceptibility in the vicinity of other pollution sources. In the case of TMP contained in fly ash from power plants, the highest correlations with magnetic susceptibility were observed for Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu. In the combustion of hard coal, these metals were mainly present in the structure of iron oxides, and in the combustion of lignite, their greater amount was associated with the mobile fraction, which means that the fly ash after lignite combustion poses a greater environmental hazard than the dust after hard coal combustion. In each of the investigated areas with magnetic anomaly, metals that were highly present in the topsoil also had a high correlation coefficient with the measured magnetic susceptibility. This confirms the thesis that these metals were transported by TMP.

Dense sample grid established in under-canopy area of Norway spruce.

Geophysical methods that use the magnetic properties of substances are becoming increasingly common in environmental research. The coexistence of magnetic particles and individual elements in the deposition of atmospheric dusts allows the detection of these pollutants after they have fallen to the ground surface and migrated to the upper soil horizons. Trees play an important role in the transport of pollutants from the moment they are captured from the atmosphere by the needles/leaves until they are distributed in the soil. The main objective of the project was to use magnetic and geochemical methods to track the distribution of dust loads in the soil by the main forest species in Poland (i.e. pine, spruce, oak, beech). Dense measurement grids placed under the canopy of the trees and a large number of samples collected in the form of soil cores allow for a detailed magnetic analysis showing the spatial distribution of dust load among individual tree species. Based on the collected 1086 soil cores and 32 580 magnetic measurements, three-dimensional models of the distribution of magnetic particles were created for each of the tree species on four different research plots. The results showed that although the differences in the amount of dust pollution among the individual tree species growing in the same area are small, the differences in the distribution of these pollutants in the topsoil are pronounced.

The research carried out is the first in the world to have detailed the distribution of magnetic particles in the soil using three-dimensional models. Nowadays, magnetometry is successfully used in the study of various elements of the environment. In many studies using soil magnetometry, the research objects are large-scale industrial and urban areas or individual soil profiles on a small scale. This project took a new direction in magnetic research at the mesoscale, considering the role of a specific research object, namely a single tree. The selection of this type of research object in the project means that the results obtained are not only relevant in the context of soil science and geophysics, but also for forestry and selected branches of agriculture, where geophysical methods have so far been used only to a limited extent.