Annie T. Worsley

A pilot investigation into the potential of mineral magnetic measurements as a proxy for urban roadside particulate pollution

The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for urban street dust collected from Southport (Merseyside, UK) is explored. Correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and traditional particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay) and respiratory health related size classes (i.e. PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0) are reported. Significant relationships (p <0.001; n = 50) exist between sand, silt and clay content with at least one or all of the magnetic concentration parameters. This is also the same for each PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 sizes. Of the three magnetic parameters, χLF displays the strongest correlation values (r = 0.701, P <0.001, n = 50) and is the most significant parameter, which is consistent with all class sizes of each approach. In doing so, these associations indicate mineral magnetic measurements have considerable potential as a particle size proxy for determining urban roadside particulate matter concentrations. Given the speed, low-cost and sensitivity of the measurements, this suggests magnetic techniques could potentially be used as an alternative and/or complementary exploratory technology for pilot particulate pollution investigations. Furthermore, in certain instances, it could be useful for examining linkages between respiratory health and particulate pollution and vehicle emissions.

Application of mineral magnetic concentration measurements as a particle-size proxy for urban road deposited sediments

Reviewed papers accepted for the Seventeenth International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution held in Tallinn, Estonia in July 2009

Environmental magnetism: measuring, monitoring and modelling urban street dust pollution

Urban street dusts have been monitored monthly for one year (May 2000 to April 2001), their magnetic properties measured and their multivariate relationships modelled by Simultaneous R- and Q-mode Factor Analysis, so as to differentiate dusts from three urban roads (two in Wolverhampton and one in Dudley) in the West Midlands (U.K.). Results show the street dusts contain a large range of magnetic concentrations, magnetic mineralogy and magnetic domain sizes, which has enabled significant differences (p < 0.001) to be identified between individual roads. Whilst soil is proposed as a notable provenance for the dust, magnetic values in this study are much higher than those previously reported for topsoils and thus, indicate the influence of other sources, such as anthropogenic pollutants. This indicates the potential of magnetic methodologies as a valuable means of contributing to local and national road pollution monitoring schemes. Furthermore, Factor Analysis aided the interpretation of dust variations and simplified the inter-relationships between magnetic parameters, which highlights

Morphodynamics of the Morfa Dyffryn coastal dunes, mid-Wales: photographic survey 1988–2007

In this 20-year case study on the Morfa Dyffryn dunes, Gwynedd, mid-Wales (National Grid Reference: SH563240), straightforward and inexpensive photography, from fixed points and angles, proved useful for monitoring the evolution and migration of dynamic dune landforms. The mobile foredunes are particularly dynamic with cyclical morphological development paralleling an overall landward recession, evident by exposure of a World War II bunker in 1995. A cyclical trend is documented through photosets. The dune meadow has undergone cyclical patterns of sand encroachment, followed by stabilization by vegetation, while the fixed hind dunes remain stable. A general relationship between foredune morphology and erosion/accretion processes has been established, offering the prospect of predicting future dune morphological changes. Keywords: coastal dunes, photographic survey, erosion/accretion processes, pedogenic development, coastal change.

Problems and potential of mineral magnetic measurements as a soil particle size proxy

Abstract The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for soil samples collected from the Isle of Man (British Isles) is explored as an alternative means of normalizing particle size effects. Comparison of soil‐related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) and cumulative size fractions (e.g. clay + fine silt) are reported. Both χLF and χARM parameters reveal significant (p <0.05; n = 46), but relatively weak (rs = 0.297 and 0.369), associations with clay content, while χLF, χARM and SIRM parameters have no significant relationship with sand and silt content or any discrete or cumulative size fractions. Contrary to earlier research findings, this indicates that magnetic measurements are not always a suitable particle size proxy and it is only certain environments and/or specif...

Atmospheric pollution and human health: the significance of a datable sedimentary archive from a small urban lake in Merseyside, UK

Preliminary results from sediment cores taken at Speke Hall Lake, Merseyside (UK) are presented. They demonstrate the use of sediments from a small, man-made, urban lake to reconstruct the local environmental history from the last 250 years. The lake is set within the heart of the Merseyside region, which saw the instigation, and subsequent burgeoning of major industries, notably petro-chemicals during the nineteenth century and by the expansion of the use and manufacture of automobiles in the last century. Given the widely reported concerns over public health, the use of such datable environmental archives is promoted in order to examine the relationship between environment and human health.

Preliminary insights into magneto-biomonitoring (Tilia europaea and Acer pseudoplatanus) as an alternative roadside particulate air pollution technology

Urban roadside particulate air pollution, deposited on tree leaf surfaces (Lime: Tilia europaea; Sycamore: Acer pseudoplatanus), has been monitored (July 2003 to November 2003) by mineral magnetic technologies. The nature of this work is particularly important because particulate pollution affects human health (i.e. cardio-vascular and respiratory systems). Leaves were collected from four roadside locations and a woodland park within the City of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, U.K. Data analyses reveal that significant (p <0.001) site-specific differences are chiefly attributed to differences in types of traffic management and associated vehicular behaviour, but may also be influenced by the type of vehicular engine (notably diesel) and localised conditions. Moreover, evidence suggests magnetic concentration parameters are a surrogate for particulate air pollution. Given the speed, measurement sensitivity and non-destructive nature of the technique, it is proposed this low-cost approach offers some advantages over other technologies currently used to monitor urban roadside particulate pollution.

Air Pollution records from urban lake sediments: the implications of datable, lacustrine sedimentary archives for epidemiology

Sediment pollution records from several small, urban, man-made lakes from Merseyside and Halton (N.W. England, UK) are presented. They demonstrate that lake sediments can be used to reconstruct atmospheric pollution histories that encompass the entire Industrial Revolution (the last 250 years) in the U.K. Regionally, this was a period that saw the instigation, development and subsequent expansion of major industrial activity, such as iron and steel production, petro-chemical manufacture and power generation, followed by rises in road and air travel. Through the use of analytical techniques, such as environmental magnetism, together with Pb dating, urban lacustrine stratigraphic records illustrate that the types and levels of atmospheric pollution have changed temporally. The work promotes the ethos that such archives could be vital to our understanding of past, present and future relationships between human health and the environment.

The use of mineral magnetic measurements as a particulate matter (PM) proxy for road deposited sediments (RDS): Marylebone Road, London

Road deposited sediments (RDS) are a recognised pollution problem and a worrying public health concern of many urban environments. Linkages between the magneto characteristics of RDS and their particle size properties have been explored to determine the extent to which magnetic technologies can be utilised as a proxy for proffering insights to address pollution challenges. Samples (n = 60) were collected (May, 2008) along both sides of a busy urban road (Marylebone Road) in central London, UK. Magnetic concentration parameters (LF, χARM and SIRM) reveal high levels of magnetic material, when compared to previous urban RDS studies. Correlation analysis between the magnetic parameters and textural parameters (LF, χARM, SIRM and PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) show significantly strong relationships but, unlike earlier studies, the trends display negative correlations. Despite this kinship not adhering to previously identified trends, this does not mean that mineral magnetic measurements cannot be used as a proxy. Moreover, it simply implies that the nature of any trends needs to be established for specific places before it can be reliably applied as a proxy.

The role of urban lake sediments as historical archives of industrial pollution and health linkages: an example from Daresbury pond, North Cheshire, UK

Research in Halton, northwest England, recognises the health effects of environmental pollution due to the extensive amount of industrialisation the area has experienced since the industrial revolution. The chemical industry still dominates this region, and concerns have arisen over potential links between industrial pollution and high morbidity and mortality in Halton. Recent commissioned work suggests that unhealthy life style and material deprivation are factors affecting health. However due to insufficient data a direct comparison has not been made between temporal pollution patterns and health records to assess impacts of pollution on health. A methodology using characteristics of lake sediments has provided proxy records of atmospheric pollution variations dating from pre-industrial times to present day. Preliminary mineral magnetic results are presented demonstrating the pollution profile of the area, giving a detailed record of changing atmospheric pollution since the lake was formed. In the future this can be compared to health records to identify possible relationships between pollution trends and disease patterns.