7Be is a natural cosmogenic radionuclide with a relative short half-life of 53.3 d. It is mainly produced in the upper atmosphere as the product of the spallation of oxygen and nitrogen nuclei by cosmic rays. Through continuously wet and dry deposition

7Be is absorbed strongly by soil particle once it deposits onto the earth’s surface. Therefore

it has been regarded as a valuable tracer to document short-term and individual-event soil erosion in recent years. Moreover

It also can be combined with other radionuclides (such as 137Cs

210Pb

226Ra) to study soil erosion process. This paper reviewed the previous researches results

including the principle of using 7Be measurement to document soil erosion and the conversion models of soil erosion rates from 7Be data. The problems

suggestions and prospects for further application of 7Be measurement were also discussed.