Solonetz are normally associated with flat lands in a climate with hot, dry summers or with former coastal deposits that contain a high proportion of salt.

Solonetz soils are strongly alkaline with subsurface horizon of clay minerals, well developed columnar structure and high proportion of adsorbed sodium and/or magnesium ions. The presence of free soda in soil is associated with alkaline reaction (field-pH > 8.5). Under such conditions, organic matter has a tendency to dissolve and move through the soil body with moving soil moisture. The remaining mineral soil material is bleached and in the extreme case a clear eluvial horizon may form directly over the dense natric subsurface horizon. Black spots of accumulated organic matter can be seen in many Solonetz, at some depth in the natric horizon. The dense natric (clay) illuviation horizon poses an obstacle to water percolating downward by the dispersion of soil materials.

Land use options of Solonetz soils depend largely on the depth and properties of the surface soil. However, most Solonetzes are Solonetz are problem soils when used for arable agriculture.

Areas of Solonetz soils are similar to those of Solonchaks in Europe. However, the geographic extent is somewhat different: Solonetzes are soils of the Charpatian Basin, Romania and Bulgaria and found in south eastern Europe..