Over decades, the landscape in the region of Rouyn-Noranda (Quebec, Canada) has undergone significant degradation, spanning extensive areas. This degradation is primarily attributed to the emission of sulphur dioxide gas and pollutants from the Horne Smelter. Research conducted around other smelters indicates that the direct release of sulphur dioxide gas into the atmosphere, together with the subsequent acid rain and soil acidification, results in soil degradation and biodiversity loss in the surrounding ecosystems. Despite the probability that these impacts also exist around the Horne smelter of Rouyn-Noranda, there is limited research on how emissions affect the diversity of the vegetation and the soil microbiome, along with carbon dynamics. In order to eradicate this research gap, this study will specifically focus on rock outcrops by examining the present condition of the vegetation (vascular and non-vascular plants) and the soil microbial (fungi and bacteria) abundance, richness, and composition, along with the carbon content in both vegetation and soil. We will determine if these aspects change with distance from the smelter, in different cardinal directions, and under various soil physicochemical properties. The fungal and bacterial diversity of soil will be examined through DNA metabarcoding sequencing. Their relationships with soil physicochemical properties will also be determined. We will assess carbon content in various pools (above-ground, below-ground and soil) at increasing distances, in different cardinal directions, and in accordance with soil physicochemical properties. We will use mixed models to analyze how distance from the smelter, cardinal directions, and soil physicochemical properties influence the diversity and richness of vegetation and soil microbiome, along with carbon pools. Ordination techniques will be used to depict the significant effects on the plant species composition and soil microbial communities. The comprehensive findings from this study will provide insights for future restoration projects and enhance our understanding of environmental resilience in regions close to smelting activities.