A simplified technique to determine the self-absorption correction for sediment samples.

A self-absorption correction factor is required for the determination of the radioactive isotope concentration in sediment samples at the low-energy region. A simplified technique for this correction factor for a well-type HP germanium detector is described. This correction is especially important when the ratio between the sample density and reference sample density (rho(sa.)/rho(re)) is greater than approximately 1.4.