A decreasing column density during the prompt emission from GRB 000528 observed with BeppoSAX

We report observation results of the prompt X- and gamma-ray emission from GRB 000528. This event was detected with the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor and one of the two Wide Field Cameras aboard the BeppoSAX satellite. The gamma-ray burst (GRB) was promptly followed on with the BeppoSAX narrow field instruments and with ground optical and radio telescopes. The X-ray afterglow source was identified, but no optical or radio counterpart found. We report here results from the prompt and afterglow emission analysis. The main feature derived from spectral evolution of the prompt emission is a high hydrogen equivalent column density with evidence of its decrease with time. We model this behavior in terms of a time-dependent photoionization of the local circumburst medium, finding that a compact and dense environment is required by the data. We also find a fading of the late part of the 2-10 keV prompt emission, which is consistent with afterglow emission. We discuss this result in the light of the external shock model scenario.