Enhancing the understanding and assessment of soil erosion and sedimentation through improvements to tracer techniques

土壤侵蚀和沉积（SES）仍然是加拿大和世界各地的主要环境问题。土壤侵蚀使土壤质量退化，由此产生的泥沙使水质和空气质量退化。示踪剂已被证明是测量SES的有价值的工具，增强了对这些过程的理解，并为其评估和预测开发了模型。在这些示踪剂中，沉降放射性核素（frn） 137Cs和210Pb在监测农田内土壤和沉积物的再分布，以及在农业流域追踪和寻找沉积物（一种称为沉积物指纹的技术）方面非常有效。拟议研究的总体目标是改进使用示踪剂评估SES的技术。一个协调和互补的研究项目小组将审查农业景观和流域土壤和沉积物的空间和时间特性的性质，重点是评价生态系统所使用的示踪剂。将在两个流域，一个在马尼托巴省，另一个在新不伦瑞克省，研究水道和水体中沉积物特性的可变性。将在与每个流域相关的两个耕地中研究景观中土壤性质的可变性。将评价创新技术和技术，例如使用便携式伽马能谱仪在实地测量frn和使用新的和新的frn组合的能力，以提供更有效的土壤和沉积物取样战略，并提供更有效的方法在景观和流域内插SES结果。对时空变异性及其原因（固有的/自然的和诱发的/人为的原因）有更大认识的抽样策略预计将导致与SES测量相关的不确定性大幅减少。期望与SES测量相关的误差可以减少一半是现实的。通过研究土壤和沉积物的时空变化所获得的见解将加强对土壤侵蚀（土壤损失和积累）和沉积（生产、运输、行为和命运）的理解。更知情和更可靠的测量将增加对SES评估的信心。更大的信心将导致制定更有效的政策和计划，并更广泛地使用有效的水土保持措施，并通过这样做，增强我们土地和水资源的可持续性。在很大程度上，这一影响将通过在土地和水资源研究和管理方面培训各级专业人员来实现。建议的研究将为两名博士生、两名硕士生和八名本科生提供培训。

Soil erosion and sedimentation (SES) continue to be major environmental concerns in Canada and around the world. Soil erosion degrades soil quality, and the resulting sediment degrades water quality and air quality. Tracers have proven to be valuable tools in measuring SES, enhancing the understanding of these processes, and developing models for their assessment and prediction. Of these tracers, the fallout radionuclides (FRNs) 137Cs and 210Pb have been very effective in monitoring the redistribution of soil and sediment within agricultural fields, and in tracking and sourcing sediments within agricultural watersheds, a technique known as sediment fingerprinting. The general objective of the proposed research is to improve techniques used to assess SES using tracers. A coordinated and complementary group of research projects will examine the nature of spatial and temporal properties of soil and sediment in agricultural landscapes and watersheds, focusing on tracers used in the assessment of SES. The variability of sediment properties in waterways and water bodies will be studied in two watersheds, one in Manitoba and the other in New Brunswick. The variability of soil properties in landscapes will be studied in two cultivated fields associated with each of these watersheds. Innovative technologies and techniques, such as the use of portable gamma spectrometers to measure FRNs in the field and the use of new and new combinations of FRNs, will be evaluated for their ability to provide more effective soil and sediment sampling strategies and to provide a more effective means of interpolating SES results across landscapes and watersheds. Sampling strategies that employ a greater awareness of spatial and temporal variability and their causes (inherent/natural and induced/anthropogenic causes) are expected to lead to substantial decreases in the uncertainties associated with SES measurements. It is realistic to expect that the errors associated with SES measurements could be cut in half. The insights gained by examining the spatial and temporal variability of soils and sediments will enhance the understanding of soil erosion (soil loss and accumulation) and sedimentation (production, transport, behaviour and fate). More informed and more reliable measurements will increase confidence in SES assessments. Greater confidence is expected to lead to the development of more effective policies and programs, and to more widespread use of effective soil and water conservation practices, and, in doing so, enhance the sustainability of our land and water resources. In no small part, this impact will be achieved by training professionals at all levels in land and water resources research and management. The proposed research will provide training for two PhD students, two MSc students and eight undergraduate students.