IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (IJGEM )

E-ISSN 2504-8821
P-ISSN 2695-1878
VOL. 11 NO. 6 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijgem.vol.11.no6.2025.pg86.94

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Geophysical Characterization of Surface Materials: Magnetic Susceptibility of Soil, Porosity, and Rock Densities

Sahabo, Fatima Magaji, Audu, Jangura, Dangari, Livinus Linus and, Shitu, Mohammed

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Abstract

This research paper examines the magnetic susceptibility of agricultural topsoil and the determination of rock densities at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, utilizing a portable magnetic susceptibility meter alongside laboratory analysis. The findings indicate that the magnetic susceptibility values range from 5.0×10?6 to 1.54×10?3 SI, suggesting the soil is primarily composed of clayey sand with generally low magnetic susceptibility, which influences both the composition and fertility of the agricultural land. Additionally, the study measured the dry bulk density, saturated density, porosity, and particle density of the rock samples, with values ranging from 9.333 to 23 g/cm³, 10 to 23 g/cm³, 0.4 to 0.66 (40 to 66.6%), and 6.333 to 28 g/cm³, respectively. The mean porosity for the analyzed rock samples was also calculated. Consequently, this led us to recognize that magnetic susceptibility serves as a tool for detecting magnetic minerals, thereby indicating soil composition and fertility, as such minerals can influence nutrient availability in the soil. Measurements of rock densities and porosity assist in determining the type of rock present in the outcrop, which predominantly consists of sandstones characterized by fine to medium grains and a range of colors including brown, grey, and whitish-grey.

keywords:

magnetic susceptibility, porosity, rock, saturation density, and bulk density

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