The ferrimagnetic minerals maghemite (γFe2O3) are closely related with metal availability and P adsorption capacity. Magnetization is spontaneous in a significant percentage of Brazilian soils. In the State of Paraná (Brazil) this area represents up to 50 %. The determination of the mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (ΧBF) is the simplest method of identification and quantification of ferrimagnetic minerals in soils. The ΧLF is a quick, cheap, non-destructive technique, with satisfactory reproducibility, and can be used as a criterion in pedogenetic studies involving ferrimagnetic minerals. The aim of this paper was to verify the influence of parent rock material on ΧLF values of air-dried fine earth of B horizon of soil samples from Paraná. The samples were collected at 45 sites across the entire State to determine the ΧLF values and percentage of frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (ΧFD). The values of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility of soils formed from basic eruptive rocks were significantly higher (1,000 to 7,800 x 10-8 m³ kg-1) than of those from sedimentary and metamorphic rocks (lower than 500 x 10-8 m³ kg-1). The data show the strong influence of the parent rock material on the presence of ferrimagnetic minerals. The ΧFD values indicate the presence of superparamagnetic particles (maghemite) in the majority of the Paraná State soils.
maghemite; magnetite; mineral magnetism; XRD
