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Results of soil cover studies in different regions of the Russian North from the Kola Peninsula in the West and the Chuckchi Peninsula in the East are presented. Toxic metal distribution in soils (podzols, cryosols, histosols of different types) of both impact (technogenically disturbed) and background regions were studied. HCl and ammonium acetate (A/A) buffers were used as the extraction agent followed by atomic absorption spectrometry. More than 100 field sites were studied. It was demonstrated that microelement soil content is closely connected with that of parent rocks which differ in different regions. Noticeable increase of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn etc.) in the upper soil horizons is marked near large industrial sites (up to 20 km from the source of pollution) sometimes exceeding background for more than 10–100 times. Each region and soil type has its own background concentration level. That is why no general superregional background concentration patterns may be revealed based on numerous soil sampling in different regions of the discussed territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]