ARS | Publication request: Using Fallout Cesium-137 to Understand Soil and Soil Organic Carbon Redistribution on Small Research Watersheds

Submitted to: International Atomic Energy Agency
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2006
Publication Date: March 27, 2006
Citation: Ritchie, J.C., Veneteris, E., McCarty, G.W., Owens, L.B. 2006. Using fallout Cesium-137 to understand soil and soil organic carbon redistribution on small research watersheds [abstract]. IAEA Report of the 2nd Research Coordination Meeting of the IAEA/FAO Coordination Research Project. CRP D1. 50-58:25.

Technical Abstract: Patterns of soil erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) vary across the landscape especially for agricultural areas where water, wind, and tillage erosion redistribute soils and SOC. This study used fallout Cs-137 to determine rates and patterns of soil and SOC redistribution on small catchments at the USDA ARS North Appalachian Experimental Watershed (NAEW) at Coshocton, Ohio. The NAEW has 27 first order catchments that have been managed since 1935. Management practices include conventional tillage, no-tillage, pasture, and natural meadows. Soil erosion rates and SOC differed significantly between management practices with no-tillage having the lowest soil erosion rates and highest levels of SOC. These studies show the impact of soil redistribution patterns between management practices and aid in understanding soil erosion and SOC patterns.