Evaluation of Compton scattering and self-attenuation coefficient after <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-ray analysis of naturally occurring radioactive elements in environmental samples

Comparison of Compton scattering and Compton scattering cross section with self-attenuation coefficient were explained based on the kinematic equation and Klein-Nishina formula. Naturally occurring elements, ²³⁸U (²²⁶Ra), ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th (²²⁸Ra) and ¹³⁷Cs were determined in sediments and water from Ismailia canal in Egypt which were found in the range of permissible level. Self-attenuation coefficients, K, the ratio between photopeak detection efficiency using solid and liquid standards were determined. They fit well comparing to Compton scattering, Compton scattering cross section while inversely fit to energy-absorption Compton scattering cross section based on the Klein-Nishina formula.