Variability of soil properties was investigated both at pollution gradient and site scales in the surroundings of the Pechenganikel smelter, the Kola Peninsula, Russia. The thickness and store of forest floor increased while biological activity decreased towards the smelter. The concentrations of mobile potassium decreased from 16-23 to 2 mmol/kg along the pollution gradient. Soils close to the smelter contained higher concentrations of mobile nickel (11±2.2 mmol/kg) and copper (16±3.3 mmol/kg) compared to remote sites (0.17±0.02 and 0.026±0.003 mmol/kg). The organic horizon of soils appeared to be the important accumulator of heavy metals and the barrier against transport of pollution to underlying mineral horizons. The maximal site-scale variability was observed in the industrial barren land.