ИСТИНА

The work described comprises three main components. Firstly, attention is directed to 137Cs depth distributions in sediment sinks within different landscape zones of European Russia and with different initial levels of the Chernobyl fallout. Evidence for vertical migration of 137Cs and it is influence on 137Cs depth distributions and their interpretation are considered. Secondly, the advantages and limitations of 137Cs as a tracer for investigating the dynamics of erosion processes within croplands and sediment redistribution in river basins of different scales are considered. Thirdly, new results associated with the application of 137Cs depth distributions for reconstructing changes in erosion rates and sediment fluxes in different parts of European Russia are reported and compared with the results of similar studies undertaken in the UK. Finally, it is concluded that a knowledge and understanding of both erosion-deposition processes and the potential for vertical migration of 137Cs are important for correct interpretation of 137Cs depth distributions in sediment sinks when reconstructing changes in erosion rates and sediment fluxes in different terrestrial and fluvial environments.