Estimation of soil erosion from caesium-137 measurements in a small, cultivated catchment in Australia

• Published in: International journal of radiation applications and instrumentation. Part A, Applied radiation and isotopes Applied radiation and isotopes, 1988, Vol.39 (11), p.1153-1157
• Main Authors: Loughran, R.J., Elliott, G.L., Campbell, B.L., Shelly, D.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cesium; isotopes; soil erosion; watersheds
• ISSN: 0883-2889
• DOI: 10.1016/0883-2889(88)90009-3

Measurements are reported of the distribution of 137Cs within a 6.6 ha drainage basin on cultivated black earth soils located near Merriwa in New South Wales (N.S.W.). The results were used to estimate net loss as well as accumulation of soil. The losses of 137Cs from the catchment slopes were assessed relative to an estimated input of 137Cs of 100 mBq cm −2. A regression equation was developed which relates the net loss of soil by erosion of black earth soils (kg ha −1 y −1) as a function of the measured loss of 137Cs activity in the soil expressed as a percentage of the normal input value. Each input datum of 137Cs activity into the regression equation was obtained under similar conditions. Rates of soil losses, estimated at 19 sites, ranged between 420 and 2970 kg ha −1 y −1 with an average of 1530 kg ha −1 y −1. The results confirmed the usefulness of the 137Cs technique for estimating loss of soil by erosion.