Variations of 137Cs depositions and soil concentrations between alpine and montane soils in northern Colorado

137Cs was measured in soil samples taken from two high-elevation sites in the northern Front Range of Colorado. The first site was in an alpine meadow adjacent to a glacial lake, while the second site was in a nearby montane forest at a slightly lower elevation. The samples were all of equal volume and represented an equal ground surface area. The coefficients of variation of 137Cs soil activity concentration (Bq g−1) were similar for the two sites, as were the CVs for activity deposition (Bq m−2). The mean 137Cs depositions we found were generally in agreement with values reported in the literature for similar elevations and higher than values found at lower elevation sites in the same region. Activity deposition was less variable than activity concentration at both sites. The alpine site had a significantly higher mean 137Cs concentration than the montane site, but a significantly lower mean deposition value.