Using cesium-137 to quantify organic horticultural soil erosion

Description

Organic horticultural soils lose anywhere from 0.3 to 4 cm of viable topsoil each year that does not regenerate. The main degradation processes involve microbial decomposition, compaction (50%), and erosion (50%). Not much is known, however, about the actual magnitude of the loss due to erosion. The measurement of the spatial redistribution of cesium-137 (Cs-137) provides a rapid and efficient means to quantify this loss. We will measure this radioisotope in 28 fields exposed to different atmospheric agents and subject to a variety of anti-erosion practices in order to quantify the long-term (60+ years) severity of erosion for these soil types.

Objective(s)

• Use Cs-137 to quantify the total erosion of organic soils that has taken place in 28 fields since the early 1960s.
• Compare the erosion rates calculated by the Cs-137 methodology with rates obtained by other means currently in use.
• Help develop an integrated approach to the conservation of organic horticultural soils.