Carbonate-calcium system in steppe soils of Central Ciscaucasia

The analysis of the carbonate-calcium system in a wide range of steppe soil s, including irrigated soils, has been performed. it is shown that the stat e of this system is mainly controlled by geochemical flows inside soil comb inations and complexes, as well as by local peculiarities of environmental conditions. Usually, the solutions of steppe soils are supersaturated with respect to calcite. Several types of carbonate-calcium equilibrium can be d istinguished in steppe soils. The combined analysis of morphological, chemi cal, and thermodynamic data makes it possible to suggest a general scheme o f the state of soil carbonates.