Using 137Cs to study spatial patterns of soil erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) in an agricultural catchment of the typical black soil region, Northeast China

Understanding the spatial pattern of soil organic carbon (SOC) is of great importance because of global environmental concerns. Soil erosion and its subsequent redistribution contribute significantly to the redistribution of SOC in agricultural ecosystems. This study investigated the relationships between 137Cs and SOC over an agricultural landscape, and SOC redistribution was conducted for an agricultural catchment of the black soil region in Northeast China. The spatial patterns of 137Cs and SOC were greatly affected by the established shelterbelts and the developed ephemeral gullies. 137Cs were significantly correlated with SOC when 137Cs were >2000 Bq m−2, while no relation was observed between them when 137Cs were