Relationship between germanium content and seam thickness in Paleozoic paralic coal basins of Ukraine

Abstract

One of the geochemical peculiarities of germanium is its predominant concentration in thin seams and intercalations of coal. An analysis of the distribution of germanium in the Paleozoic coals of the Ukraine demonstrates an inverse relationship between germanium content and seam thickness. The extraction of germanium from solutions depends on the time of its active interaction with humic material. This process has been influenced by the rate of peat accumulation in the thickness of the coal seam. This relationship may be used as a criterion in exploration and assessment of germanium-bearing coals —Authors.