Magnetic susceptibility of a saprolite and a soil profile developed on pyroxenite at Mont-Saint-Bruno, Quebec, Canada

• Published in: Canadian journal of soil science 2001-05, Vol.81 (2), p.185-192
• Main Authors: De Kimpe, C R, Dejou, J., Chevalier, Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0008-4271; 1918-1841
• DOI: 10.4141/S00-049

Magnetic susceptibility (χ) measurements were performed with a recording magnetic susceptivimeter on a pyroxenite and its alteration products, i.e., a saprolite and the horizons of a soil profile. Pyroxenite contains a relatively high percentage of opaque minerals that, under alteration, transformed partly into Fe oxides with a high magnetic susceptibility. In the saprolite and the soil, χ values varied according to depth in the profile, particle size, mineralogical and chemical composition. Significant correlations between χ values and Fe and Ti oxides indicated the importance of opaque minerals, magnetite, maghemite and ilmenite to the magnetic susceptibility of the alteration products of the pyroxenite. This method provided additional information on the intensity of the alteration of the rock, especially on the formation of secondary Fe oxides at the expense of the ferromagnesian minerals. Key words: Magnetic susceptibility, pyroxenite, saprolite, maghetite, maghemite, opaque minerals