The article gives a brief description of current knowledge on geochemical and biogeochemical processes that influence directly or indirectly the distribution of chemical elements in soils and plants under natural and man-made conditions. The sampling of soils and plants as research objects is not accidental. Soil and plants are the most important, most complex and dynamic components of the biosphere. Revealing their geochemical and biogeochemical role is interesting and important. Man-made input of trace elements into the environment has a negative effect on soil and plants, which requires serious study. On the other hand, it is possible that all kinds of chemical elements can enter the food chain in the conditions of pollution, which is dangerous for the human body. The role of trace elements, including heavy metals, is undeniable in terms of their physiological importance in living organisms. When the concentration of heavy metals, which are important for life, exceeds the norm, it becomes dangerous for human life. That is, the main issue depends on the concentration of chemical elements in the environment: for living organisms, it is considered as a trace element in the case of a lack of an element, and it is considered as a heavy metal in the case of its excess. It has already been proven that their intensive distribution in the biosphere and atmosphere and the observation of high concentrations in the soil pose a great threat to biota. When the amount of toxic heavy metals or biophilic trace elements exceeds the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) in living organisms, biological processes are disturbed. Especially lead, mercury, cadmium are considered more dangerous pollutants among heavy metals. The source of heavy metals in soils are rocks of various origins. Features of their distribution in soils are different depending on the origin and granulometric composition of the rocks.