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Title: Sediment tracers in water erosion studies: Current approaches and challenges

Author
item GUZMÁN, G. - Instituto De Agricultura
item QUINTON, J. - Instituto De Agricultura
item Nearing, Mark
item MABIT, L. - Austrian University
item GÓMEZ, J.A. - Instituto De Agricultura

Submitted to: Journal of Soils and Sediments
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2013
Publication Date: 2/27/2013
Citation: Guzmán, G., Quinton, J., Nearing, M.A., Mabit, L., Gómez, J. 2013. Sediment tracers in water erosion studies: Current approaches and challenges . Journal of Soils and Sediments. 13:816–833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-013-0659-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-013-0659-5

Interpretive Summary: This paper is a review of the use of various types of tracers used to study soil erosion and sediment movement in the field. These tracers include the use of radionuclides, rare earth elements, fingerprinting by use of soil physical and chemical characteristics, magnetism and others. These tracers help us understand where sediment comes from is important to know because sediment caused by soil erosion is a major contributor to non-point source pollution of America's rivers, streams, and reservoirs. The use of radioactive Cesium is common; because it was deposited in soils across the entire world as a result of atmospheric atomic bomb testing that was conducted by various nations in the period largely around the early 1960s. After that time bomb testing was largely restricted to underground tests, specifically to reduce the release of such radioactive material into the atmosphere. Loss or gain of this material in the environment allows identification of erosion or deposition since the early 1960s. Another technique discussed is the use of rare earth oxide materials. These materials bind strongly to soil and sediment particles and can be measured in sediment and soil samples, thus they are ideal for tracking soil movement in the field. This report has significant implications for improving our ability to measure attributes that help us manage the soil and water resources of this nation by improving our knowledge of erosion rates in rangelands of southern Arizona and providing spatial data needed to test and improve the tools we use for conservation planning.

Technical Abstract: Interest in the use of sediment tracers as a tool to complement traditional water erosion or deposition measurements has increased due to the additional information they provide, such as sediment source identification, tracking of sediment movement across the landscape at various temporal and spatial scales, and estimation of soil erosion rates. For these reasons, the utility and robustness of sediment tracing approaches using a wide range of substances and soil properties have been evaluated in numerous studies. CONCLUSIONS: A review of established tracing approaches identified five distinct groups of tracing approaches: fallout radionuclides, rare earth elements, soil magnetism and magnetic substances, other tracers, and sediment fingerprinting techniques. This paper describes the basic theory of each tracing approach in assessing soil erosion and sediment redistribution, describing their methodology and main applications, and summarizing the commonalities and differences between the approaches. It also identifies research gaps and future trends.