APPLICATIONS OF MAGNETIC MEASUREMENTS TO SEDIMENT TRACING IN URBAN HIGHWAY ENVIRONMENTS

The use of mineral magnetic techniques for following the transport and sequencing of surface sediments through a separate stormwater system within a small, well defined urban catchment is described. Magnetic characteristics of surface sediments are compared by both graphical representations and by the development of discriminatory equations which show that good differentiation is achieved between highway associated and roof sediments. Below ground deposited sediments and stormwater suspended particulates are assigned to these groupings with the latter showing a more persistent input from roof derived sediments. The variations in source sediment contributions during the progression of storm events are related to hydrological properties and to antecedent conditions. © 1990.