Efficiency and Sustainability Assessment of Terraces in the Qais Mountains Basins Using Cesium 137 Isotope Analysis

Azaiez, Naima

doi:10.21608/ejss.2025.372566.2098

Efficiency and Sustainability Assessment of Terraces in the Qais Mountains Basins Using Cesium 137 Isotope Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Naima Azaiez

King Khalid University, Department of Geography, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/ejss.2025.372566.2098

Abstract

The Cesium 137 isotope was tracked to monitor the degree of soil erosion and measure sedimentation levels based on the results of the different rates of activity, which enabled the classification of the sectors of the Jebel Kais basins according to the degree of soil stability to identify erosion hotspots and sedimentation sources. This study proved that the terracing system has enabled soil stabilisation ranging from 59 to 101 tonnes/ha/year. Even though the study area recorded the lowest levels of soil loss, which did not exceed 49.4 tonnes/ha/year as a maximum amount, compared to several neighbouring basins, where the losses exceeded 80 tonnes/ha/year. The radiometric analyses clearly show a balanced sediment budget, considering the difference between the eroded section and the sedimented one in terms of the drainage basin as a unit. This indicates that the basin's sedimentary system is in apparent dynamic stability. This fact is essential for forecasting the morphological dynamics of the basin. The results of this research will provide the basis for promoting new avenues of study incorporating other isotopes such as lead-210 and beryllium-7 to improve erosion prediction, from local analysis to global management of agricultural land in response to environmental challenges, particularly in arid zones in Saudi Arabia.

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