Resumen

GARBAN G, Grony  y  MARTINEZ S, Manuel. Distribution of germanium in sediments and sedimentary rock: Applications as an indicator of geochemical processes. INCI [online]. 2006, vol.31, n.12, pp.861-866. ISSN 0378-1844.

Germanium and silicon have identical outer electron structures and have quite similar geochemical characteristics. Due to this, most Ge in the earth´s crust is dispersed through silicate minerals in amounts up to a few parts per million. It is usually present as a trace element, averaging ~1ppm in crustal rock. However, the highest Ge concentrations occur in two distinct non-silicate geologic environments: a) sulphide ore deposits hosted by sedimentary rocks and b) coal and lignitized wood. The Ge/Si ratio in rock, water and sediments is affected by several exogenous processes. The later aspect allows the use of these elements to study oceanic mass balance for present day hydrothermal input and as geochemical indicators of changes in variations in weathering processes. Likewise, the presence of Ge in coal is important as a key to understanding syngenetic and diagenetic influences on the coal geochemistry and as a potential ore resource. In Venezuela, some potential environmental settings favor the accumulation of Ge, particularly those associated to the great carboniferous basins and the massive sulfide deposits.

Palabras clave : Argirodita ; Germanio en Carbón ; Germanio Orgánico ; Relación Ge; Si .