Large-Scale Indicative Mapping of Soil Runoff

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In our study we estimate relationships between quantitative parameters of relief, soil runoff regime, and spatial distribution of radioactive pollutants in the soil. The study is conducted on the test arable area located in basin of the upper Oka River (Orel region, Russia). Previously we collected rich amount of soil samples, which make it possible to investigate redistribution of the Chernobyl-origin cesium-137 in soil material and as a consequence the soil runoff magnitude at sampling points. Currently we are describing and discussing the technique applied to large-scale mapping of the soil runoff. The technique is based upon the cesium-137 radioactivity measurement in the different relief structures. Key stages are the allocation of the places for soil sampling points (we used very high resolution space imagery as a supporting data); soil samples collection and analysis; cali bration of the mathematical model (using the estimated background value of the cesium-137 radioactivity); and automated compilation of the map (predictive map) of the studied territory (digital elevation model is used for this purpose, and cesium-137 radioactivity can be predicted using quantitative parameters of the relief). The maps can be used as a support data for precision agriculture and for recultivation or melioration purposes.

Integration of Data of the Remote Sensing, Gis, and Gamma-Spectrometric Analysis to Study Soil Material Redistribution

“…General understanding and correct estimation of these processes is significant also when organizing melioration and precision farming operations. When the monitoring of the soil runoff in arable areas is not (or can not) be organized, the radiocaesium method (Golosov, Kvasnikova, 2000;Panidi et al, 2016Panidi et al, , 2017Saavedra, Mannaerts, 2005;Walling, He, 1999;Zapata, 2002) can help to study soil erosion and runoff processes. To study the features of the soil losses in an experimental agricultural field, a test plot was selected where (ancient) ravines of different size and (modern) streams formed in the plowing furrows are presented.…”

Towards the Issue of Estimation of the Cesium-137 Deposit in Upper Soil Layer When Studing Soil Runoff

“…Radiocesium method is explored and applied to the study of soil runoff regime and soil losses on arable areas during recent decades, since Chernobyl accident brought significant artificial-origin cesium pollution in upper horizons of soil cover. The cesium deposit measured in Bq/kg in particular sample of soil material can be compared with background radioactivity to estimate the intensity of soil outwash [4], [7], [8], [9], [10]. Our investigations provided in a couple of years are focused on study of the cesium redistribution in soil cover on arable area and its interdependencies on soil runoff amount in the regions of the central part of European Russia.…”