The content and distribution of toxic elements in the rocks and soils of the Belebey plateau highlands, Ufa plateau and Zilair plateau were studied. The content of elements is determined by both natural and man-made factors. Natural accumulation is mainly related to the chemical composition of parent rocks. The parent rocks in Ufa plateau and Belebeyev plateau highlands are sedimentary with a big quantity of carbonates, and for the soils of the Zilair plateau – volcanic rocks. Man-made accumulation is characterized by a regression-accumulative type of distribution, which is manifested in an increased content in the humus-accumulative horizons and a sharp decrease in the lower ones. The accumulation of elements is associated with the extraction and processing of minerals, industrial emissions from enterprises, local wind and water transport of dust particles and aerosols from ash and slag dumps, and underground waste storage facilities. The amount of toxic elements in soils can also be determined by their belonging to various ecosystems (forest, arable land, meadow). The total chemical indicator in the research areas varies from strong to weak, and environmental conditions worsen in the areas: Belebey plateau highlands – Ufa plateau – Zilair plateau.