About this Research Topic
The emergence of biogeophysics has revolutionized the field of near-surface geophysics by incorporating the mechanisms of interaction and the effects on and due to biological processes. One key contribution of biogeophysics is to the understanding of contaminant degradation processes through high resolution characterization and efficient monitoring.
The field of environmental magnetism grew out of interdisciplinary research studying materials of the environment, either transported from elsewhere or created in situ. Studies are now incorporating measurements of environmental magnetism in conjunction with physical properties from traditional near-surface geophysical methods to further understand geophysical signatures in highly dynamic environments (e.g., biogeochemical hotspots, contamination plumes).
An important new application of environmental magnetism is to atmospheric pollution, one of the most relevant and critical environmental issues. Magnetic particles can serve as proxies for atmospheric pollutants, not only in particulate matter in the atmosphere, but also on biological surfaces that have been exposed to air pollution. The accumulation of magnetic particles on biological surfaces over time provides a record of air quality. Recent studies are being conducted to identify magnetic particles in the human body, with the aim to assess the effect of atmospheric magnetic nanoparticles on human health.
This Research Topic addresses the recent advances in environmental magnetism and biogeophysical research as applied to the Earth´s dynamic processes at present. Contributions can report on relevant and critical environmental problems such as soil, groundwater and air pollution. New frontiers of biogeophysics and environmental magnetism research of environments include biogeochemical hotspots and extreme environments.
We welcome contributions focussing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Magnetic proxies for atmospheric pollution monitoring;
• Synergistic use of environmental magnetism and electrical biogeophysical methods (e.g., real time monitoring of magnetic and electrical properties of environments undergoing bioremediation or other biogeochemical process);
• Magnetic pollution nanoparticles in the atmosphere;
• Detection of pollutant magnetic nanoparticles in the human body;
• Magnetic proxies for monitoring biodegradation;
• Magnetic properties to study biogeochemical processes in contaminated land; and
• Integration of electrical and magnetic properties to study microbial activity.
Cover Image credit: Topic Editor Dr. Andrea Teixeira Ustra
The field of environmental magnetism grew out of interdisciplinary research studying materials of the environment, either transported from elsewhere or created in situ. Studies are now incorporating measurements of environmental magnetism in conjunction with physical properties from traditional near-surface geophysical methods to further understand geophysical signatures in highly dynamic environments (e.g., biogeochemical hotspots, contamination plumes).
An important new application of environmental magnetism is to atmospheric pollution, one of the most relevant and critical environmental issues. Magnetic particles can serve as proxies for atmospheric pollutants, not only in particulate matter in the atmosphere, but also on biological surfaces that have been exposed to air pollution. The accumulation of magnetic particles on biological surfaces over time provides a record of air quality. Recent studies are being conducted to identify magnetic particles in the human body, with the aim to assess the effect of atmospheric magnetic nanoparticles on human health.
This Research Topic addresses the recent advances in environmental magnetism and biogeophysical research as applied to the Earth´s dynamic processes at present. Contributions can report on relevant and critical environmental problems such as soil, groundwater and air pollution. New frontiers of biogeophysics and environmental magnetism research of environments include biogeochemical hotspots and extreme environments.
We welcome contributions focussing on, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Magnetic proxies for atmospheric pollution monitoring;
• Synergistic use of environmental magnetism and electrical biogeophysical methods (e.g., real time monitoring of magnetic and electrical properties of environments undergoing bioremediation or other biogeochemical process);
• Magnetic pollution nanoparticles in the atmosphere;
• Detection of pollutant magnetic nanoparticles in the human body;
• Magnetic proxies for monitoring biodegradation;
• Magnetic properties to study biogeochemical processes in contaminated land; and
• Integration of electrical and magnetic properties to study microbial activity.
Cover Image credit: Topic Editor Dr. Andrea Teixeira Ustra
Keywords: Biogeophysics, Near Surface Geophysics, Environmental Magnetism, Biogenic magnetic minerals
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
