Satellite data and soil magnetic susceptibility measurements for heavy metals monitoring: findings from Agri Valley (Southern Italy)

Heavy metals pollution is a widespread problem in urbanized and industrial areas and there is a need of optimized and effective strategies for identifying and monitoring polluted areas. This study proposes an improved methodology based on Landsat satellite data and magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out in situ and in laboratory. Findings suggest that expeditious field surveys of soil magnetic susceptibility within stressed vegetated areas are a reliable indicator of soil contamination. Moreover, this procedure could provide a method for assessing heavy metals impacts and could be used to examine the effectiveness of emission control strategies.