[2] They contain either a significant amount of artefacts (something in the soil recognizably made or extracted from the earth by humans), some sort of geotechnical liner, or are sealed by technic hard material (hard material created by humans, having properties unlike natural rock).
They are recognized in the new Russian soil classification system as Technogenic Superficial Formations.
Technosols are developed on all kinds of materials made or exposed by human activity that otherwise would not occur at the Earth’s surface.
Most of the research on anthropogenic soils describe specific aspects of their biology, chemistry or physical properties, cultural heritage and human geography, erosion, wastes, pollution, fertilizer management, taxonomy.
[6] Technosols are found throughout the world, e.g. at or near cities, roads, mines, refuse dumps, oil spills and coal fly ash deposits.