Geophysical Characterization of Surface Materials: Magnetic Susceptibility of Soil, Porosity, and Rock Densities

Sahabo; Fatima Magaji; Audu; Jangura; Dangari; Livinus Linus; Shitu; Mohammed

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.11.no6.2025.pg86.94

📄 Download Paper

Geophysical Characterization of Surface Materials: Magnetic Susceptibility of Soil, Porosity, and Rock Densities

Sahabo, Fatima Magaji, Audu, Jangura, Dangari, Livinus Linus and, Shitu, Mohammed

Abstract

This research paper examines the magnetic susceptibility of agricultural topsoil and the determination of rock densities at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, utilizing a portable magnetic susceptibility meter alongside laboratory analysis. The findings indicate that the magnetic susceptibility values range from 5.0×10?6 to 1.54×10?3 SI, suggesting the soil is primarily composed of clayey sand with generally low magnetic susceptibility, which influences both the composition and fertility of the agricultural land. Additionally, the study measured the dry bulk density, saturated density, porosity, and particle density of the rock samples, with values ranging from 9.333 to 23 g/cm³, 10 to 23 g/cm³, 0.4 to 0.66 (40 to 66.6%), and 6.333 to 28 g/cm³, respectively. The mean porosity for the analyzed rock samples was also calculated. Consequently, this led us to recognize that magnetic susceptibility serves as a tool for detecting magnetic minerals, thereby indicating soil composition and fertility, as such minerals can influence nutrient availability in the soil. Measurements of rock densities and porosity assist in determining the type of rock present in the outcrop, which predominantly consists of sandstones characterized by fine to medium grains and a range of colors including brown, grey, and whitish-grey.

Keywords

magnetic susceptibilityporosityrocksaturation densityand bulk density

References

Akanbi E. S. & Adoyi I. M. (2008). Determination of magnetic susceptibility of rock samples in Bukuru area, Nigeria: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343888952 Akanbi, E. S. & Uzomah, K. (2008). Determination of magnetic susceptibility of rock samples in Bukuru Area, Nigeria. Brempong F., Mariam Q. & Preko K. (2016). The use of magnetic susceptibility measurements to determine pollution of agricultural soils in road proximity. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 10(9), 263-271 Dearing, J.A. (1994) Environmental magnetic susceptibility: using the Bartington MS2 system. In Akanbi E. S. & Adoyi I. M. (2008). Determination of magnetic susceptibility of rock samples in Bukuru area, Nigeria: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343888952 Dearing, J.A. (1994) Environmental magnetic susceptibility: using the Bartington MS2 system. Kenilworth: Chi Publishing. 104. Jordanova, D., & Jordanova, N. (2021). Updating the significance and paleoclimate implications of magnetic susceptibility of Holocene loessic soils. Geoderma, 391: 114982. Jordanova, N. 2017. Soil magnetism. Applications in pedology, environmental science and agriculture. Academic Press, Elsevier, Amsterdam. 446 Maher, B.A., H. MengYu, H.M. Roberts, and A.G. Wintle, (2003). Holocene loess accumulation and soil development at the western edge of the Chinese Loess Plateau: implications for magnetic proxies of palaeorainfall. Quaternary Science Reviews; 22:445-451. Meena N.K., Sabyasachi M., & Ankush S. (2011) Discrimination between anthropogenic (pollution) and lithogenic magnetic fraction in urban soils (Delhi, India) using environmental magnetism. Journal of Applied Geophysics; 73, 121–129 Meyer A. A (1976). Interpretation of magnetic susceptibility contour maps. In Mullins C. E (2006). Magnetic susceptibility of the soil and its significance in soil science. Journal of soil science; 28(2):223-246.

Geophysical Characterization of Surface Materials: Magnetic Susceptibility of Soil, Porosity, and Rock Densities

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT