IAEARCA Meeting on Exchanging Experience using the Cs137 Technique for Measuring Soil Erosion, Kuala

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IAEA-RCA Meeting on Exchanging Experience using
the Cs-137 Technique for Measuring Soil Erosion,
Kuala Lumpur 5 - 9 July 2004 RAS/5/039
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Country Report PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTATION
PROJECT RAS/5/039, PART II   Counterpart Zainudin
Othman   Country Malaysia   Collaborating
agencies   1. University of Science Malaysia 2.
Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID)
  National project committee   Dr Zainudin
Othman (MINT) Mrs Salmah Moosa (MINT) Dr Wan
Ruslan Ismail (USM)
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Study Sites
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• To determine the rate of soil erosion using
  environmental isotope 137Cs.
• To determine the extent of agrochemical
  contamination transported with the soil.

Staff Training Completed
Achievements

• 137Cs inventory at uncultivated (reference) site
• 137Cs inventories across the cultivated slope.
• Surveying (Leveling) was run and prepared maps of
  the fields.
• Soil erosion estimated using 137Cs and
  proportional model.
• Analysis of soil samples are in progress

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Inputs From IAEA None
Project Output

• Project report containing results of soil erosion
  and guidelines for the authorities
• Improved research laboratories
• Trained manpower (agriculture assistant,
  laboratory technician)
• Creating awareness on radionuclide techniques
  (137Cs) for measuring of soil erosion to
  sugarcane plantation management and agriculture
  departments.
• Awareness of better conservation practices

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Publications Zainudin Othman, Wan Ruslan Ismail
Mohd Tadza Abdul Rahman (2003). Erosion processes
and landform evolution in agricultural land A
perspective from environmental isotope
measurements). GeoInformatic 2003 12-13 November
2003. National Seminar, Penang, Malaysia.
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The use of the environmental caesium-137 for soil
erosion study at sugarcane plantation, Perlis,
Malaysia
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Chuping sugarcane plantation (06.5 N 100.3 E)
scheme covering the area of 4300 hectares was
converted from secondary jungle in early 1970 to
cater the needs for domestic sugar consumption.
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Reference inventory of 137Cs
From a total of 12 identified undisturbed sites,
11 sites have been considered to be representing
the local reference inventory. The inventories
from these sites range from 211 to 312 Bq/m2 with
mean inventory of 253 Bq/m2. CV 14 Low but
can be further improved by studying more sites.
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• Geographical location, very high erosion rate at
  the plantation
• Levels of 137Cs inventories. The topsoil has been
  removed during land clearing. Agricultural
  activities started after the fallout period, most
  of 137Cs concentrated on the upper part.
• Relevance of erosion. Too much of erosion also
  posed problem to the method. The erosion
  problems are believed to be a major concern

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• At least three more sampling visits are required
  to focus on the determination of pesticide
  residues in eroded soil.
• Sampling of suspended sediment
• Sampling runoff sediment

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Thank You