title: Modelling Deposition and Erosion rates with RadioNuclides (MODERN) - Part 1: A new conversion model to derive soil redistribution rates from inventories of fallout radionuclides.
abstract: The measurement of fallout radionuclides (FRN) has become one of the most commonly used tools to quantify sediment erosion or depositional processes. The conversion of FRN inventories into soil erosion and deposition rates is done with a variety of models, which suitability is dependent on the selected FRN, soil cultivation (ploughed or unploughed) and movement (erosion or deposition). The authors propose a new conversion model, which can be easily and comprehensively used for different FRN, land uses and soil redistribution processes. The new model MODERN (Modelling Deposition and Erosion rates with RadioNuclides) considers the precise depth distribution of any FRN at the reference site, and allows adapting it for any specific site conditions. MODERN adaptability and performance in converting different FRN inventories is discussed for a theoretical case as well as for two already published case studies i.e. a137Cs study in an alpine and unploughed area in the Aosta valley (Italy) and a210Pbexstudy on a ploughed area located in the Transylvanian Plain (Romania). The tests highlight a highly significant correspondence (i.e. correlation factor of 0.91) between the results of MODERN and the published results of other models currently used by the FRN scientific community (i.e. the Profile Distribution Model and the Mass Balance Model). The development and the cost free accessibility of MODERN (see modern.umweltgeo.unibas.ch) will ensure the promotion of wider application of FRNs for tracing soil erosion and sedimentation.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Geosciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: laura.arata@unibas.ch.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arata
authors.affiliation: Environmental Geosciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meusburger
authors.affiliation: Institute de Recherche Mathématique Avancée (IRMA), University of Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frenkel
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: A'Campo-Neuen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Consolidated Radioisotope Facility, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
authors.forename: Andra-Rada
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Iurian
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ketterer
authors.affiliation: Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Laboratory, FAO/IAEA Agriculture & Biotechnology Laboratory, Seibersdorf, Austria.
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mabit
authors.affiliation: Environmental Geosciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alewell
mesh_terms: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
keywords: (137)Cs; (210)Pb(ex); (239+240)Pu; Mass Balance Model; Profile Distribution Model; Soil erosion