Estimating Soil Erosion in Northeast China Using 137Cs and 210Pbex

Evaluation of soil erosion in agricultural fields is valuable to develop conservation practices for reducing agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Soil erosion rates were quantified using the fallout radionuclide tracer technique in Mojiagou Basin located on the outskirts of Changchun in Northeast China. The calculated soil erosion rates in the study area were 1.99 and 1.85 mm year−1 using 137Cs and excess 210Pb (210Pbex) measurements, respectively. Both fallout radionuclides showed a similar tendency at downslope sites. All measured sites have experienced net erosion during the past 50 to 100 years. 137Cs and 210Pbex measurements were useful to quantify soil erosion rates on field and small basin scales. At this rate of erosion, the current fertile topsoil layer would be entirely removed within 70 years.