| Abstract: | Due to its inert reaction in soil system and distinctive vertical distribution in soil profile, caesium-137 (137Cs) has been used as a tracer to assess wind erosion. In this study, 62 soil samples were collected from 4 sampling sites
in Taipusi County, Inner Mongolia; Caesium-137 activities for those soil samples were measured using a gamma-ray spectrometry
in Sichuan University, Chengdu. Distribution pattern of 137Cs in vertical soil profile was different for different land use and land cover types. Caesium-137 was distributed homogeneously
in plow layer of cropland, and negatively exponential in low to medium cover grassland. Distribution pattern in high covered
grassland was represented by a peak at 2–4 cm soil depth followed by a negative exponential curve. Based on those findings,
simplified mass balance model was chosen to estimate the rate of wind erosion for cropland, while profile distribution model
was used for grassland. Estimated wind erosion rates were 7990, 4270 and 1808 Mg·km−2·a−1 for cropland, low cover grassland and medium cover grassland, respectively. Wind erosion intensity correlated negatively
with plant cover. |
