ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 41, Number 8
JKCSEZ 41(8)
April 20, 1997 

We examined the determination of trace amount of germanium in rocks and sediments by hydride vapor generation-ICP-AES. Germanium is formed volatile compounds with various types of acid reagents, but volatilizing of germanium was decreased in the presence of H3PO4. Sediments and rocks can be dissolved by mixed acids of HF-HNO3-H3PO4 without volatilizing loss of germanium in open digestion system and it was possible to determine germanium by hydride generation-ICP-AES without further sample treatment. Detection limit of Ge is reached to 0.08 ppb under the condition of 5M H3PO4 and 1% NaBH4 as a supporting acid and a reducing reagent, respectively. The measured values by hydride generation-ICP-AES agreed well with the reference values of SRMs as well as the values determined by solution nebulization-ICP-MS.