Meteoric10Be,137Cs and239+240Pu as Tracers of Long‐ and Medium‐Term Soil Erosion—A Review

Abstract

Isotopes of meteoric10Be,137Cs,239+240Pu have been proposed as a soil redistribution tracer and applied worldwide as an alternative method to classical field‐related techniques (e.g., sediment traps). Meteoric10Be provides information about long‐term soil redistribution rates (millennia), while137Cs and239+240Pu give medium‐term rates (decades). A significant progress in developing new models and approaches for the calculation of erosion rates has been made; thus, we provide a global review (n = 59) of research articles to present these three isotopes (meteoric10Be,239+240Pu and 137 Cs) as soil erosion markers in different environments and under different land‐use types. Understanding the dynamics and behaviours of isotopes in the soil environment is crucial to determine their usefulness as soil erosion tracers; thus, we discuss the chemical–physical behaviour of meteoric10Be,137Cs and239+240Pu in soils. The application of these isotopes sometimes has strong limitations, and we give suggestions on how to overcome them or how to adapt them to a given situation. This review also shows where these isotopic methods can potentially be applied in the future. A lack in knowledge about soil redistribution rates exists particularly in loess‐dominated areas where the tillage system has changed or in areas with strong wind erosion.