PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Wilson, C.G.
AU  - Kuhnle, R.A.
AU  - Bosch, D.D.
AU  - Steiner, J.L.
AU  - Starks, P.J.
AU  - Tomer, M.D.
AU  - Wilson, G.V.
TI  - Quantifying relative contributions from sediment sources in Conservation Effects Assessment Project watersheds
AID  - 10.2489/jswc.63.6.523
DP  - 2008 Nov 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 523--532
VI  - 63
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/63/6/523.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/63/6/523.full
AB  - A technique using the relationship between the naturally occurring radionuclide tracers, 7Be and 210Pbxs, was used to differentiate eroded surface soils and channel-derived sediments in the fine suspended sediment loads of runoff events in five Conservation Effects Assessment Project watersheds. A simple two end-member mixing model was used to determine the relative contribution from each source. Results suggest that eroded surface soils were more prevalent in the suspended load early in a runoff event, but channel contributions dominated the suspended load at later stages. The method proved useful for multiple sites due to a constant proportion of the atmospheric deliveries of the two radionuclides globally. Use of only two radionuclide tracers simplifies the differentiation of sediment sources within a watershed but limits precision.