Skip to main content
Log in

Problems in determining spatial inhomogeneity of 137Cs fallout for estimating rates of erosion-accumulative processes

  • Published:
Russian Meteorology and Hydrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The issues of assessing variability of 137Cs fallout of global and Chernobyl origin at reference sites are discussed with a purpose to use this isotope as a tracer for estimating the rates of erosion-accumulative processes. It is shown that local variability of soil contamination by 137Cs at reference sites is within 7–20%, which makes it possible to use the isotope as a tracer. When studies are conducted within drainage basins, the available trend of the atmospheric 137Cs fallout should be taken into account in assessing the soil and sedimentation redistribution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Atlas of Radioactive Contamination of European Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, Ed. by Yu. A. Izrael (Roshydromet, Roskartografiya, Moscow, 1998) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  2. V. R. Belyaev, V. N. Golosov, P. J. Wallbrink, and A. Yu. Sidorchuk, “Using of Radionuclides for Reconstructing Stages of Development of Modern Ravines,” Geomorfologiya, No. 1 (2005) [Geomorphology, No. 1 (2005)].

  3. A. N. Gennadiev, V. N. Golosov, S. S. Chernyanskii, et al., “Comparative Assessment of Soil Inventory of Magnetic Spherules, Cesium-137, and Lead-210 for Indicating Erosion-Accumulative Processes,” Pochvovedinie, No. 10 (2006) [Soil Science, No. 10 (2006)].

  4. A. P. Govorun, V. I. Liksonov, and V. N. Potapov, “Numerical and Experimental Substantiation of the Method for Determining Contamination Density and Burial Depth of 137Cs in Soil,” Atomnaya Energiya, No. 3, 78 (1995) [Atomic Energy, No. 3, 78 (1995)].

  5. Yu. A. Izrael, Radioactive Fallout after Nuclear Explosions and Accidents (Progress-Pogoda, St. Petersburg, 1996) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  6. Yu. A. Izrael, E. V. Kvasnikova, I. M. Nazarov, and Sh. D. Fridman, “Global and Regional Radioactive Contamination of the European Territory of the Former USSR with Cesium-137,” Meteorol. Gidrol., No. 5 (1994) [Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol., No. 5 (1994)].

  7. E. V. Kvasnikova, E. D. Stukin, and V. N. Golosov, “Inhomogeneous 137Cs Contamination of the Areas Distant from the Chernobyl NPP,” Meteorol. Gidrol., No. 2 (1999) [Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol., No. 2 (1999)].

  8. R. M. Kogan, I. M. Nazarov, and Sh. D. Fridman, Principles of Gamma-Spectrometry of Natural Media (Energoatomizdat, Moscow, 1991) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. V. Markelov, “Modern Erosion-Accumulative Processes in the Upper Links of the Hydrographic Network of Forest and Forest-Steppe Zones,” Candidate’s Dissertation in Geography (Moscow, 2004).

  10. F. A. Makhan’ko, F. A. Rabotnova, G. M. Reut, and V. B. Chumichev, “The Connection between Radioactive Fallout and Atmospheric Precipitation,” in Radioactivity of Natural Environment (Gidrometeoizdat, Moscow, 1977) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  11. A. N. Silant’ev and I. G. Shkuratova, Industrial and Atmospheric Pollution Detected against the Background of Global Pollution (Gidrometeoizdat, Moscow, 1983) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  12. B. A. Fedorovitch, L. I. Boltneva, I. M. Nazarov, and T. I. Sisigina, “Rates of Transport of Loose Deposits Traced with Nuclear Explosion Products (with a Reference to Central Asian Plains),” Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, ser. Geogr., No. 5 (1973) [Izv., Geography, No. 5 (1973)].

  13. L. R. Basher, “Surface Erosion Assessment Using 137Cs: Examples from New Zealand,” Acta geol. hisp., No. 3–4, 35 (2000).

  14. L. L. Eberhardt and J. M. Thomas, “Designing Environmental Field Studies,” Ecol. Monogr., 61 (1991).

  15. V. N. Golosov, “Application of Chernobyl-derived 137Cs for the Assessment of Soil Redistribution within a Cultivated Field,” Soil and Tillage Res., 69 (2002).

  16. Handbook for the Assessment of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Using Environment Radionuclides, Ed. by F. Zapata (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002).

  17. Q. He and D. E. Walling, “Interpreting Particle Size Effects in the Adsorption of 137Cs and Unsupported 210Pb by Mineral Soils and Sediments,” J. Environ. Radioactivity, No. 2, 30 (1996).

  18. Q. He and D. E. Walling, “The Distribution of Fallout 137Cs and 210Pb in Undisturbed and Cultivated Soils,” Appl. Radiat. Isot., 48 (1997).

  19. R. G. Kachanoski and E. de Jong, “Predicting the Temporal Relationship between 137Cs and Erosion Rate,” J. Environ. Quality, 13 (1984).

  20. R. J. Loughran, “The Use of the Environmental Isotope Caesium-137 for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Studies,” Trends in Hydrology, 1 (1994).

  21. L. Mabit, C. Bernard, M. R. Laverdiere, and S. Wicherek, “Assessment of Soil Erosion in a Small Agricultural Basin of the St. Lawrence River Watershed,” J. Hydrobiologia, 410 (1999).

  22. O. N. Owens and D. E. Walling, “Spatial Variability of Caesium-137 Inventories at Reference Sites: An Example from Two Contrasting Sites in England and Zimbabwe,” Appl. Radiat. Isot., No. 7, 47 (1999).

  23. D. J. Pennock and E. de Jong, “Spatial Pattern of Soil Redistribution in Boroll Landscapes, Southern Saskatchewan, Canada,” Soil Sci., 150 (1990).

  24. D. J. Pennock, D. W. Anderson, and E. de Jong, “Distribution of Cesium-137 in Uncultivated Black Chernozemic Landscapes,” Can. J. Soil Sci., 74 (1994).

  25. D. J. Pennock, D. S. Lemmon, and E. de Jong, “Cesium-136 Measured Erosion Rates for Five Parent-Material Groups in Southwestern Saskatchewan,” Can. J. Soil Sci., 75 (1995).

  26. J. C. Ritchie, J. R. McHenry, A. C. Gill, and P. H. Hawks, “The Use of Fallout Cesium-137 as a Tracer of Sediment Movement and Deposition,” in Mississippi Water Resources Conference Proceedings, 1970.

  27. R. A. Sutherland, “Caesium-137 Soil Sampling and Inventory Variability in Reference Locations: A Literature Survey,” Hydrol. Processes, 10 (1996).

  28. D. J. Vanden Bygaart, D. J. King, et al., “Cautionary Notes on the Assumptions Made in Erosion Studies Using Fallout 137Cs as a Marker,” Can. J. Soil Sci., No. 2, 79 (1999).

  29. P. J. Wallbrink, J. M. Olley, and A. S. Murray, “Measuring Soil Movement Using 137Cs: Implications of Reference Site Variability,” Variability in Stream Erosion and Sediment Transport, IAHS Publ., No. 224 (1994).

  30. D. E. Walling, “Use of 137Cs and Other Fallout Radionuclides in Soil Erosion Investigations: Progress, Problems, and Prospects,” in Use of 137 Cs in the Study of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation, Technical Report Series, IAEA Technical Document-1028, 1998.

  31. D. E. Walling and T. A. Quine, “Use of Caesium-137 to Investigate Patterns and Rates of Soil Erosion and Arable Fields,” in Soil Erosion on Agricultural Land (Wiley, London, UK, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Original Russian Text © V.N. Golosov, M.V. Markelov, V.R. Belyaev, O.M. Zhukova, 2008, published in Meteorologiya i Gidrologiya, 2008, No. 4, pp. 30–45.

About this article

Cite this article

Golosov, V.N., Markelov, M.V., Belyaev, V.R. et al. Problems in determining spatial inhomogeneity of 137Cs fallout for estimating rates of erosion-accumulative processes. Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol. 33, 217–227 (2008). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068373908040043

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068373908040043

Keywords

Navigation