Estimation of 137Cs activity on cultivated land for erosion studies in the upper citarum watershed: a physicochemical soil properties approach

This study aimed to (1) determine the 137Cs activity in 45 cultivated land sites and (2) create the undetectable 137Cs activity prediction model using soil physicochemical properties. 137Cs soil samples were measured with a low-energy germanium gamma spectrometer. Predictors include soil physicochemical properties (pH, water content, organic carbon (OC), soil texture, N, P, and K) were analysed. The study found that 60% of the 122 soil samples contained undetectable levels of 137Cs. Total nitrogen content was identified as a predictor of 137Cs activity in inverse model form. Soil pH, OC, and fertiliser are predicted to impact the absorption of 137Cs.