The γspectroscopic measurement of soil samples is described.210Pb data from a soil survey in western-Europe are briefly reviewed. The average210Pb flux from the atmosphere, as determined from210Pb exc soil inventories, is 90 Bq m−2a−1. A simple one-dimensional box-chain model is described. The model simulates the vertical, post depositional transport of natural and fall-out radionuclides in the soil. Simulation of measured210Pb exc ,134Cs,137Cs, and241Am soil profiles shows that mixing (bioturbation) is a very efficient transport mechanism. Lead seems to be strongly fixed to organic and clay particles. It is transported by the displacement of the organic and clay carrier substances. The mean residence time of lead, caesium, plutonium and americium in organic rich forest soils is in the order of 250–1000 years. An applicability study in investigate the use of210Pb in erosion problems showed erosion rates from 60–180 g m−2a−1 on organic rich forest and meadow sites with 10°–25° slopes.