MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY MEASUREMENTS FOR THE MONITORING OF HEAVY METALS IN THE INDUSTRIAL AREA OF TITO SCALO. COMPARISON WITH THE RESULTS OBTAINED IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF BASILICATA REGION (SOUTHERN ITALY)

Magnetic susceptibility may be very variable in soil both because of natural causes as pedogenesis and because of anthropogenic causes as air and soil pollution. For this peculiarity, magnetic susceptibility measurements are used for monitoring the presence of heavy metals in soil, dust and sediment; however, an accurate data analysis is fundamental for the interpretation of the results. Here, we present a field survey carried out in a large industrial area of Basilicata Region (Southern Italy), surrounded by areas devoted to agricultural activities, woods, and protected sites (e.g., the WWF natural oasis of "Lago Pantano"). We measured magnetic susceptibility in situ and collected soil samples along a georeferenced grid of about 70 sampling points. These points are representative of both industrial soils and natural and agricultural areas. The results of the field survey are then compared with the results we obtained in other industrial areas of Basilicata by adopting the same time-saving and low-cost technique to get an overall picture of heavy metals distribution at a regional scale.