Urban Environmental Assessment: The Role of Soil Magnetic Susceptibility in Geochemical Investigations - A Case Study from Maksimir Park, Zagreb, Croatia

Perčin, Aleksandra; Frančišković-Bilinski, Stanislav; Zgorelec, Željka; Mičić, Petra; Bubalo Kovačić, Marina (2025) Urban Environmental Assessment: The Role of Soil Magnetic Susceptibility in Geochemical Investigations - A Case Study from Maksimir Park, Zagreb, Croatia. Inżynieria Mineralna, 3 (2). ISSN 1640-4920

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Abstract

Research aimed to determine the spatial variability of soil geochemical properties and soil magnetic susceptibility (MS) in the Maksimir Park, along with to validate the efficacy of MS as a rapid screening tool for urban environmental assessment. The park, encompassing 316 hectares, is situated in Zagreb, Croatia and attracts over two million visitors annually. MS in-situ measurements at 79 locations, coupled with soil sampling at 12 locations within the park were carried out in summer 2023. Prior to the detection and quantification of selected parameters, the soil samples were air-dried, ground, sieved, and homogenized. The pH (w/v 1:5, 1 mol/L KCl) and organic matter (OM, wet combustion) content were determined by standard laboratory methods, while total Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni, As, Zn, Nb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ti, Mn, Fe and Si content by portable X-ray fluorescence Vanta C Olympus analyzer. MS in-situ and MS Lab (in collected and prepared soil samples) measurements were performed using a SM30 susceptibility meter. The deterministic spatial interpolation technique Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) was used to display the spatial variability of the soil properties. The results reveal that low MS in-situ values predominate across the majority of park, with smaller localized areas exhibiting increased values. The most pronounced anomalous MS in-situ values were detected in the southwestern corner of the park and are associated with the vicinity of an old streambed. Spatial analysis also indicates that acid soil predominates in the northern forested section of Maksimir park, whereas alkaline soils are predominantly found in the southern areas, particularly near roads. Soils in the park are quite (4.0%) to very highly supplied (13.9%) by organic matter. The average concentrations of accumulated elements were as follows: 48.2 mg Pb/kg, 32.1 mg Cu/kg, 97.9 mg Cr/kg, 33.1 mg Ni/kg, 15.2 mg As/kg, 97.8 mg Zn/kg, 21.1 mg Nb/kg, 84.3 mg Rb/kg, 115.1 mg Sr/kg, 33.9 mg Y/kg, 355.7 mg Zr/kg, 7274 mg Ti/kg, 713 mg Mn/kg, 33.9 g Fe/kg, and 232.2 g Si/kg. Across all examined sites within the park, the levels of lead, copper, arsenic, and nickel were below the thresholds values. However, in the northern park areas with acidic soil conditions, chromium levels exceeded the prescribed thresholds (40 mg Cr/kg), with recorded values ranging between 88.0–99.5 mg/kg. MS Lab results from soil near roads and the entrance to Zagreb Zoo indicate partial anthropogenic impact, supported by high er levels of copper, nickel, and arsenic in these areas. In addition, results point to that most geochemical parameters showing statistically significant and stronger relationships with MS Lab data compared to those achieved with MS In-situ measurment, highlighting the critical role of soil sample preparation as an essential step in ensuring precise and reliable results. Using the example of Maksimir Park in Zagreb, the magnetic susceptibility method has demonstrated its effectiveness as a rapid screening tool for Fe (r=0.9054), Nb (r=-0.9679), Zr (r=-0.9353), Sr (r=0.8910), Ni (r=0.8296), Si (r=-0.8202), Cu (r=0.8610), Rb (r=-0.8135) and Zn (r=0.7456).

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	urban park; soil quality; heavy metals; magnetic susceptibility; correlation statistical analysis
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES NATURAL SCIENCES > Geology NATURAL SCIENCES > Geophysics NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Division for Marine and Enviromental Research
Depositing User:	Stanislav Frančišković-Bilinski
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2025 07:20
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/10180
DOI:	10.29227/IM-2025-02-03-25

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