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Calibration of caesium‐137 measurements to provide quantitative erosion rate data
Author(s) -
Walling D. E.,
Quine T. A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
land degradation and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1099-145X
pISSN - 1085-3278
DOI - 10.1002/ldr.3400020302
Subject(s) - calibration , caesium , range (aeronautics) , environmental science , erosion , soil loss , uncertainty analysis , remote sensing , soil science , computer science , hydrology (agriculture) , statistics , geology , mathematics , simulation , geotechnical engineering , chemistry , engineering , organic chemistry , aerospace engineering , paleontology
Abstract The caesium‐137 technique for investigating rates and patterns of soil loss has now been successfully applied in a wide range of environments. However, some uncertainty still surrounds the ability of the technique to provide quantitative estimates of rates of erosion. The wide range of calibration relationships that have been employed by individual workers to derive erosion rates from estimates of the amount of 137 Cs (caesium‐137) lost from the soil profile, emphasize the uncertainty involved. Existing calibration procedures, involving both empirical relationships and theoretical models and accounting procedures are reviewed and their limitations and inconsistencies are identified. Further research is required in this important area, if the clear potential of the caesium‐137 technique is to be fully realized.