Heavy metal contents and magnetic properties of surface sediments in volcanic and tropical environment from Brantas River, Jawa Timur Province, Indonesia

Brantas River is a largest urban river supplying raw water and drainage in Jawa Timur Province, Indonesia. Dense population along the river is a threat of pollution due to anthropogenic pollutants. In this study, we characterize the magnetic properties and heavy metal contents of surface sediments in various locations along the Brantas River. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between magnetic parameters and heavy metal contents in surface sediments from river. Surface sediment samples were taken and measured by a series of magnetic measurements, mineralogical analysis and heavy metal contents. The results show that magnetic minerals in surface sediments of Brantas River are dominated by PSD magnetite mineral. This relatively coarser grain size can be caused by magnetic particles produced by erosion around the river. Surface sediments have very high mass-specific magnetic susceptibility varying from 844.0 to 7231.4 × 10−8 m3kg−1 (on average of 3022.9 × 10−8 m3kg−1) because influenced by the surrounding volcanic environment. Magnetic susceptibility can identify and classify enrichment of heavy metals. Based on the Pearson correlation analysis, magnetic susceptibility has strong positive correlation with the heavy metal contents of ferromagnetic elements such as Fe and Co so that it can potentially be used as an indicator of pollution of both these heavy metals in the Brantas River. This present work shows the novelty of the relationship between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metal contents in surface sediments from river in volcanic and tropical environment. [Display omitted] •Surface sediments of Brantas River have very high magnetic susceptibility.•Ferrimagnetic mineral of surface sediments mainly presents in the form of magnetite.•Heavy metals exhibit strong positive correlation with magnetic susceptibility.•Magnetic susceptibility can be used as an indicator of heavy metal pollution.