Distribution of some natural and artificial radionuclides in soil from the city of Bitola (Macedonia) and its environs.

The article focuses on assessing the radioactivity levels in soils of Bitola, Macedonia, and its surrounding area, analyzing 58 topsoil samples for natural radionuclides (^40K, ^226Ra, ^232Th) and the artificial radionuclide ^137Cs. Results indicate that natural radionuclide concentrations are primarily influenced by the region's geology, while ^137Cs distribution correlates with terrain elevation, reflecting Chernobyl fallout patterns. Median activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in Bitola soils are higher than global averages but comparable to other Balkan regions, with no significant increase linked to local coal mining or the nearby thermoelectric power plant. The study confirms the reliability of gamma spectrometry measurements through correlations with elemental contents and provides spatial distribution maps and factor analyses that attribute radionuclide presence to geological factors rather than human activities. Overall, no environmental or health risks were identified, and the research contributes valuable baseline data for future monitoring of soil radioactivity in Macedonia.