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Updated: May 30, 2026
08:09
Measuring and Mapping Patterns of Soil Erosion and Deposition Related to Soil Carbonate Concentrations Under Agricultural Management
Published on: September 12, 2017
Rare earth elements tracing the soil erosion processes on slope surface under natural rainfall
Mingyong Zhu1, Shuduan Tan, Haishan Dang
1Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
|August 16, 2011
Summary
Rare earth elements (REEs) traced soil erosion, revealing sheet erosion dominates under low rainfall intensity. Sediment sources shift upslope with progressing erosion, offering insights into soil dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Geomorphology
Background:
- Soil erosion is a significant environmental issue impacting land productivity and water quality.
- Understanding sediment dynamics and sources is crucial for effective erosion control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate soil erosion processes on slope surfaces during rainfall events.
- To determine sediment dynamics and sources using rare earth elements (REEs) as tracers.
Main Methods:
- A field experiment was conducted on a 10m×2m×0.16m plot with a 20° gradient.
- Different layers and segments of the plot were treated with various REE tracers.
- Sediment dynamics were analyzed under natural rainfall conditions.
Main Results:
- Sheet erosion constituted over 90% of total erosion under moderate rainfall intensity.
- Sediment source areas shifted upslope as erosion progressed.
- Rill erosion showed sediment discharge originating from the toe-slope and moving upslope.
Conclusions:
- The multi-REE tracer technique is effective for understanding erosion processes.
- This method provides valuable insights into sediment sources and dynamics on slopes.
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