LARGE-SCALE INDICATIVE MAPPING OF SOIL RUNOFF

Abstract. In our study we estimate relationships between quantitative parameters of relief, soil runoff regime, and spatial distribution of radioactive pollutants in the soil. The study is conducted on the test arable area located in basin of the upper Oka River (Orel region, Russia). Previously we collected rich amount of soil samples, which make it possible to investigate redistribution of the Chernobyl-origin cesium-137 in soil material and as a consequence the soil runoff magnitude at sampling points.

Currently we are describing and discussing the technique applied to large-scale mapping of the soil runoff. The technique is based upon the cesium-137 radioactivity measurement in the different relief structures. Key stages are the allocation of the places for soil sampling points (we used very high resolution space imagery as a supporting data); soil samples collection and analysis; calibration of the mathematical model (using the estimated background value of the cesium-137 radioactivity); and automated compilation of the map (predictive map) of the studied territory (digital elevation model is used for this purpose, and cesium-137 radioactivity can be predicted using quantitative parameters of the relief). The maps can be used as a support data for precision agriculture and for recultivation or melioration purposes.