Determination of self-absorption corrections by computation in routine gamma-ray spectrometry for typical environmental samples

A simple and practical method has been developed to quickly calculate self-absorption corrections and mass attenuation coefficients, μ/p, in common environmental samples being analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry. The method involves using a sample computer program and estimates of the elemental compositions of typical environmental samples. The use of this method eliminates the need for gamma-ray-transmission measurements of individual samples, as well as expensive and time consuming elemental analyses of routine samples. The calculated percent attenuation of the beam through various samples, as determined by this method, agrees very well with experimentally measured values of percent attenuation