Specific Features of Chernozemic Soils in the Area of the Khoper Deep Fault in the Earth Crust

Abstract Chernozemic soils (Voronezh oblast, Russia) are affected by the endogenous hydrogen fluid. The chemical properties of ordinary chernozems (Haplic Chernozems) are shown to be changed in the zones of local release of endogenous hydrogen owing to the reduction regime formed by the flow of hydrogen fluid. Soil acidity sharply increases, carbonate neoformations disappear, the profile becomes completely leached of carbonates, and the content of mobile iron increases. Parallel to the increase of humus content, the humus horizon becomes lighter in color owing to strong predominance of fulvates. Soils lose their fertility, and the harvest in such areas may drop by 30–40%. In depressions with temporary moisture excess, reducing processes in soils are enhanced.