[en] UO₂ pellets from ALUOX fuel elements were used in measuring the absorption coefficient of gamma radiation in UO₂. The results of measurements of the energy dependence of the linear absorption coefficient (within 622 to 796 keV) and of the dependence on pellet density showed that in the given density interval the absorption coefficient was almost constant. The density interval was chosen to be typical for pellet fuel used in water cooled and water moderated power reactors. The results are also shown of the dependence of the mass absorption coefficient of gamma radiation in Zr on radiation energy and compared with the mass absorption coefficient of Mo; these also showed the independence of the absorption coefficient on density. The linear and mass absorption coefficients of UO₂ are considerably high and correspond approximately to the absorption coefficient of lead. For the measured energy range the variation of absorption coefficient is about 40%, which causes errors in burnup determination. The efficiency was also determined of Ge(Li) detectors for the energy range 0.5 to 1.2 MeV. The determination of the above coefficients was used for improving the gamma fuel scanning technique in determining the activity and burnup of spent fuel elements. (J.P.)