Study of the soil cover, which is influenced by human-caused impact, is important aspect for the comprehension of occurring geochemical processes. The objective of our research is to investigate chemical composition of soil higher level of piedmont dry steppes of the Baikal region (Olkhon Island) to reveal geochemical features depending on their granulometric composition. As an object chestnut steppe soils have been chosen. The aqueous and hydrochloric extracts of the soils from the selected samples were studied using volumetric oxalate and phosphate methods. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was used for the determination of the F, S_total, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, La, Ce, Nd contents in the soils. As the results of our research, we want to emphasize the following. Middle loamy, light loamy and sandy-loam varieties were distinguished. It is established that the studied soils in the main are relating to low-carbonate non-saline soils, however, in the middle loamy soil a weak degree of sulfate (gypsum) salinity has been revealed. In addition, the areal distribution of the trace and toxic elements was considered. Consistent pattern of the heavy metal and fluorine distributions in the soils was established, and than the connection with their granulometric composition has been revealed. This corresponds to a low level of the Olkhon Island soils contamination with F, Pb, V, and Zn. The study presents the primary data on the chemical composition of the steppe soils of the studied area. The performed works are of a regional nature and are part of a large research of the modern ecological and geochemical state of the territory included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Pellinen Vadim Alexandrovich, Candidate of Sciences (Geology and Mineralogy), Junior Researcher, Institute of the Earth’s Crust SB RAS, 128, Lermontov st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation, tel.: (3952) 42-84-96, e-mail: vadim.a.pellinen@yandex.ru 

Shtel'makh Svetlana Ivanovna, Candidate of Sciences (Geology and Mineralogy), Scientific Researcher, Institute of the Earth’s Crust SB RAS, 128, Lermontov st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation, tel.: (3952) 42-84-96, e-mail: fotina78@gmail.com 

Cherkashina Tatiana Yur’evna, Candidate of Sciences (Geology and Mineralogy), Senior Scientific Researcher, Institute of the Earth’s Crust SB RAS, 128, Lermontov st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation, tel.: (3952) 42-84-96, e-mail: tcherk@crust.irk.ru

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