Measuring magnetic properties of environmental samples

A. Zárubová: Měření magnetických vlastností environmentálních vzorků 1 ENGLISH ABSTRACT This bachelor's thesis presents briefly principles and examples of applications of magnetic measurements in environmental studies. Environmental magnetism is based on determination of iron oxides, their content, concentration and grain size. This information can be interpreted in terms of particle origin, transport or diagenesis. The results can provide information on, e.g., climatic changes in the past, short-term events influencing our environment (e.g., volcanic eruptions) or about contemporary problems associated with human activity (environmental pollution). In the last case, environmental magnetism does not intend to replace geochemical methods, but the main aim is to provide fast and easily available additional information, which helps us to be more effective in mapping contaminated areas, monitoring progression of pollution or modeling transport processes of contaminants. Magnetometry is currently intensively used for mapping contamination of atmosphere, soils and sediments; it can be used in defining long-term levels of contamination, individual pollution sources and their contribution to the overall pollution. This thesis provides a brief overview of the physical basics of environmental magnetism and examples..