Cultivated soil in south Jiangsu province may be polluting Taihu Lake.
The study looked at how different land uses affect soil erosion and nutrient loss in south Jiangsu province. Cultivated soil disturbed by humans has more erosion and nutrient loss than natural soil. They used cesium-137 to measure soil erosion and calculate nutrient loss. Cultivated soil, especially paddy fields, may be a major source of nutrients for Taihu Lake. The study suggests that cultivated soil poses a risk of nutrient loss and erosion, especially in comparison to natural soil in the area.