20.500.12556/DiRROS-23924 Spatial distribution of uranium and thorium in the soils of North Macedonia The aim of the study was to determine the spatial distribution and assess uranium and thorium contamination in the soils of North Macedonia. Topsoil samples (0–30 cm) were collected from 995 locations across the country on a 5 × 5 km grid. The soil samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using the total digestion method. The distribution of uranium and thorium in the soils is discussed according to the country’s 8 statistical regions, 15 major geological formations and 13 pedological units. The average uranium content is 2.1 mg/kg, ranging from <0.1 to 13 mg/kg (median 2.0 mg/kg), while the average thorium content is 9.3 mg/kg, ranging from 0.20 to 92 mg/kg (median 9.5 mg/kg). The spatial distribution patterns of U and Th in the soils of North Macedonia are very similar and are determined by geology (parent material and mineralisation). High uranium (2.9–13 mg/kg) and thorium (42–92 mg/kg) contents were found mainly in soils in the areas of Neogene and Palaeozoic igneous rocks and Neogene clastites (Pelagonian, East Macedonian zone), as well as in the Kratovo-Zletovo Massif in the north-eastern part of the country and in the Kožuf Mountains in the central and southern parts, where Neogene igneous rocks predominate. According to the pedological units, the hydromorphic soils (mean content of 2.9 mg/kg U and 12 mg/kg Th) in the valleys of the country’s main rivers, which predominate in the western part, were the richest for these elements. uranium thorium soil statistical regions geological formation pedological units North Macedonia true false true MDPI Angleški jezik Ni določen Neznano 2025-10-24 03:49:28 2025-11-17 14:18:54 2025-11-18 03:43:30 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 13 str. no. 10 vol. 15 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2025-10-09 504.5 2075-163X 10.3390/min15101063 254424067 minerals-15-01063-1.pdf minerals-15-01063-1.pdf 1 616443AE6E2159C0B1F6B3730D9FDF5F 478ea3235b615fcd58037b6903e155c2388728ecf44a2567d4620443e1f588ec 80188bd8-c3b8-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=35929 Geološki zavod Slovenije 0 0 0