Magnetic and Electromagnetic Signatures of Mineral Composition and Metal Contamination in Geological and Environmental Particulates

Geochemistry provides essential tools for determining the composition, origin, transport, transformation, and environmental behaviour of geological and environmental particulates. Magnetic and electromagnetic properties can reflect mineral assemblages, grain size, oxidation state, crystallinity, and the presence of metal-bearing phases. These properties are increasingly used alongside chemical and mineralogical analyses to investigate soils, sediments, atmospheric dust, mine wastes, road dust, and industrial residues. However, correct interpreting magnetic and electromagnetic signals remains challenging because similar responses may result from different minerals, particle-size distributions, mixed sources, or post-depositional alteration. Further research is needed to clarify how these signals relate to mineral composition, metal concentrations, contaminant sources, mobility, and environmental risk.This Research Topic aims to advance the use of magnetic and electromagnetic measurements in geochemistry by linking measurable physical signatures with mineralogical and chemical characteristics. It will examine how these approaches can support the identification of magnetic minerals, the detection and mapping of metal contamination, and the discrimination of natural and anthropogenic particulate sources. Contributions may also evaluate the sensitivity, reliability, and transferability of magnetic and electromagnetic proxies across different geological and environmental matrices. Integrated studies combining magnetic or electromagnetic measurements with chemical, mineralogical, spectroscopic, microscopic, statistical, or geospatial methods are particularly encouraged.The Research Topic will cover geological and environmental particulates, including soils, sediments, atmospheric dust, mine wastes, road dust, and industrial residues. Submissions should address a clear geochemical question and may use field, laboratory, modelling, or spatial-analysis approaches. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Brief Research Reports addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Magnetic and electromagnetic signatures of mineral composition and phases across non-ionizing and ionizing spectrao Relationships between magnetic and electromagnetic properties and metal concentrations or contamination sourceso Magnetic mineralogy and the characterisation of iron-bearing particulateso Integration of magnetic and electromagnetic methods with geochemical, mineralogical, and spectroscopic analyseso Source apportionment, spatial mapping, and environmental assessment of metal-contaminated soils, sediments, dust, and mine wasteso Improvements in measurement methods, techniques and systems Topic editors: Stefano Albanese, Grzegorz Tytko, Sylwia Dytłow Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85759/magnetic-and-electromagnetic-signatures-of-mineral-composition-and-metal-contamination-in-geological-and-environmental-particulates