Samples of soils collected from the vicinity of Dąbrowa Górnicza located in the Upper Silesia Industrial Region were subject to microbiological, physical and chemical studies. Due to a long-term dustfall from the chimneys of the Huta Katowice S. A. steel mill and a modern coking plant „Przyjaźń”, the soils of the area are strongly polluted by heavy metals, particularly cadmium, zinc, and lead. The microbiological activity of soils was determined based on microbiological indicators, such as e. g. total content of mesophilic, heterotrophic bacteria and microscopical fungi. It was proved that the content and diversity of microorganisms depends on the distance from the source of pollution. At larger distances from industrial plants, the content of heavy metals decreases, a fact that favours the microbiological activity of soils.