The use of fallout radionuclides Pb-210 and Cs-137 in estimating denudation rates and in soil erosion measurement

Following an introductory section, the subject is dealt with under the following headings: estimation of sedimentation rates in lakes (Pb-210, Cs-137); assumptions and problems; tracing of soil movement using Cs-137. In summary, the measurement of natural fallout radionuclides Pb-210 in lake sediments has been shown to give good estimates of sedimentation rates over the last 100 to 120 years. The measurement of artificially-produced Cs-137 can be used to estimate soil loss from catchment slopes and rates of sediment deposition in valleys, to study the spatial pattern of sediment production and movement and to provide estimates of lake sedimentation rates over the last 20 years. Hence it is felt that these methods, using radioactive Pb-210 and Cs-137, may make a significant contribution to studies of sediment movement at the present time and over the last 100 years. (U.K.)