Solonetzic Dark Gray Chernozem (SZ.DGC)
Common horizon sequence: Ahe, Ae, Bnjtj, Cs or Ck
These soils have the general properties specified for the Chernozemic order and the Dark Gray Chernozem great group. They differ from Orthic Dark Gray Chernozems by having properties indicative of intergrading to the Solonetzic order. Specifically, they have either a Bnj, Bnjtj, or Btnj horizon, and they may have Ae, AB, and saline C horizons. The Ae horizon, if present, is not more than 5 cm thick. The B horizon usually has prismatic structure and hard consistence, and the prisms usually break to blocky secondary structural units with shiny, dark coatings. Solonetzic Dark Gray Chernozems are usually associated with saline materials. Thus, their B horizons usually have a higher proportion of exchangeable Na or Na and Mg than is characteristic of Orthic Dark Gray Chernozems.
Note: Diagnostic horizons are underlined.