Air pollution induced changes in soil and pine needle chemistry were observed in forest ecosystems near the Pechenganikel smelter in the Kola Peninsula, North-western Russia. The concentrations of mobile Ni and Cu (up to 60 and 64 mmol/kg) in soil organic horizon near the smelter were approximately two to three orders of magnitude higher than the background levels (0.04 and 0.02 mmol/kg) in the region. The mobility of Ni and Cu in the soils was limited, as shown by a sharp reduction in their concentrations with soil depth. Close to the smelter, elevated concentrations of Ni (0.5-1.2) and Cu (0.9-2.0 mmol/kg) were found in pine needles. Metal concentrations in soils and pine needles were closely correlated and tended to increase during the last decade.