Distribution and potential sources of black carbon (BC) and correlation with total organic carbon (TOC), char and soot were determined in three different soil types (paddy soil, red soil, and fluvo-aquic soil) from Huangshi, a typical industrial city of Hubei Province in central China. Results showed that the concentrations of BC in soils varied significantly, from 0.01 to 5.79 g/kg with a mean of 1.06 g/kg. BC content was highest in paddy soil while lowest in red soil. The ratios of BC to TOC were ranged from 0.53% to 89.54% with an average of 25.29%, and highest in red soil while lowest in fluvo-aquic soil. The spatial variations of BC, char and soot concentrations and BC/TOC were related to regional industrial structure and layout. BC concentration was positively correlated with those of char, soot, and TOC, suggesting a same source. Analyses of char/soot ratios indicated the major impacts were from anthropogenic activities, especially combustion of fossil fuels, such as motor vehicle emissions and coal combustion.