The distribution of natural and non-crustal ferrimagnetic minerals in soil-sized particulates from the mediterranean atmosphere

Magnetic susceptibility (x) values have been measured in 38 soil sized atmospheric particulates from the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding regions, and have been used to assess the factors which control the distribution of ferrimagnetic minerals in the Mediterranean aerosol. Soil-sized components generated from the North African desert belt have x values in the range similar to 25 to similar to 65 10 super(-6) G Oe super(-1) cm super(-3) g super(-1), whereas those originating in deserts lying to the east of the Mediterranean have higher values which can range up to similar to 200 10 super(-6) G Oe super(-1) cm super(-3) g super(-1). In addition to natural ferrimagnetic components there is a supply of x-contributing material to the Mediterranean atmosphere from non-soil sources, which are probably dominated by industrial and domestic combustion processes; values in samples in which the non-soil material is an important source of ferrimagnetic material range up to greater than or approximate to 700 10 super(-6) G Oe super(-1) cm super(-3) g super(-1).