Chernobyl 137Cs redistribution in the small basin of the Lokna river, Central Russia

Abstract

The redistribution of Chernobyl 137Cs within a small drainage basin was studied in the Lokna river basin, Tula region, Central Russia. Sheet erosion on the cultivated part of basin is the main reason for 137Cs horizontal migration. However there is no statistically significant 137Cs redistribution within cultivated field because of relatively low erosion rates. The valley bottom is the main sink of 137Cs, where 73–84% eroded soil is stored. The resulting 137Cs level in the valley bottom is 1.5–2 times that of the initial 137Cs fallout.