Magnetic response to atmospheric heavy metal pollution recorded by dust-loaded leaves in Shougang industrial area, western Beijing

Fifty-five evergreen tree’s leaves growing less than one year were collected from Shougang industrial area in western suburb of Beijing, including steel plants and its ambient residential areas, recreational parks and farmlands. Rock magnetic properties and heavy metal contents were studied. The results show that the magnetic properties of leaf samples are predominated by low-coercivity magnetite, and both the concentration and grain size of magnetite particles gradually decreased with the distance from the main pollution source increases. Moreover, there is a significant linear relationship between magnetic parameters (the low-field magnetic susceptibility, saturation isothermal remanent magnetization and anhysteretic remanent magnetization) and heavy metals contents (Fe, Pb, V, Cr and Zn) (0.73 R 0.88). Hence, the magnetic parameters of leaves can serve as a proxy for quick detecting of the recent atmospheric metallic pollution.