Germanium: distribution, migration and accumulation in the natural environment

Abstract

In this paper we attempt to generalize information published in the scientific literature about the distribution, migration and accumulation of chemical forms of germanium in the natural environment, with the main attention paid to the content of this trace element in various components of the environment. Despite the fact that germanium is found in the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere it is one of the least studied elements in mineral and geochemical terms. It belongs to rare scattered elements with a relatively high migration capacity in the earth's crust and on its surface. Depending on the physical and chemical conditions, the mineral and lithogenesis of germanium can exhibit different properties, which determines the variety of ways of its migration. The nature and form of migration of germanium in the natural environment is not determined only by its chemical properties but also by a complex set of reactions of interaction with various underground water addendums, the granulometric and chemical-mineralogical composition of soil-forming rocks and soils, biogenic and technogenic processes. Studies have shown that the content of germanium in natural waters, soils and plants can vary widely and depends on many factors. In particular, its concentration in groundwater and surface water depends on the natural geological environment, pressure, temperature, meteorological and anthropogenic factors; soil by their type, region, features of soil-forming processes, chemical composition of the parent rocks, climatic conditions and amounts of organic substances; in plants by their species and varietal facilities, the growth stage of the plants, the availability of soils by this element, the forms of germanium compounds in the soil (inorganic or organic), the ability of soil to retain labile form of germanium and climatic conditions. Analysis of the actual content of germanium in diets indicates an insufficient level of provision of the human body with this trace element, due to its low concentrations in food and water. However, it has been suggested that any products with a high content of germanium may pose a risk to human health through its toxic effects.