Germanium

Monitoring data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

monitoring data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Nov-Dec 2011

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2012

Report date:

2012

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: ISO guidelines: ISO 5667-3: 2003 Water quality – Sampling – Part 3: Guidance on the preservation and handling of samples.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Type of measurement:

other: ambient concentrations

Media:

sediment

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Germanium

EC Number:

231-164-3

EC Name:

Germanium

Cas Number:

7440-56-4

Molecular formula:

Ge

IUPAC Name:

germanium

Test material form:

solid

Specific details on test material used for the study:

the study monitored Ge-levels in the environment. No test material used.

Study design

Details on sampling:

For practical and financial reasons it was not feasible to conduct a monitoring survey that covers the aquatic environment fro the whole of Europe. It was therefore decided to develop a sampling strategy for one major river basin in Europe (Rhine) that is known to be impacted by industrial activities that take place within its catchments area. Data that are collected for this river basin are considered to represent a worst-case situation. As there are no known diffuse emission sources of germanium in the environment, it is therefore expected that germanium-levels in more pristine surfare waters or in waterbodies with low industrial impacts will be lower compared to the river (and tributaries) that were sampled in this monitoring survey. Known point sources in the proximity of the sampling point should be avoided, as they may bias the overall evaluation of the water body under examination. For security reasons, sampling took place from a bridge or quay, but a small boat was available where needed. Overall, the sampling was performed with at least two persons in a legal way (permissions, if needed).
Selection of sampling sites was based - where possible - on available physicochemical data: Sampling locations, should represent the natural variation of water parameters that are observed in relevant environmental conditions: variation in pH, hardness, organic carbon concentrations, but also the land use from which the suspended solids originates.

Results and discussion

Concentration

Concentration 1

Key result

Country:

Germany

Location:

Rhine and tributaries Lippe Nahe and Lahn

Substance or metabolite:

substance

Conc.:

0.48 mg/kg dw

Remarks on result:

other: 90P based on 16 datapoints

Remarks:

90P Ge in sediment

Concentration 2

Key result

Country:

Germany

Location:

Rhine and tributaries Lippe Nahe and Lahn

Substance or metabolite:

substance

Conc.:

0.29 mg/kg dw

Remarks on result:

other: 50P based on 16 datapoints

Remarks:

50P Ge in sediment

Details on results:

16 samples were analysed from which all were above the detection limit (0.1µg/l). The 90th percentile was put forward in the calculation of the RWC-ambient PEC. The value of 0.48 mg/kgDW is considered to be a reliable estimate for the RWC-ambient PEC for total Germanium in Rhine sediment. The median PEC level for total Ge is 0.29 mg Ge/kg DW.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Germanium concentrations in the Rhine and 3 tributaries (freshwater-filtered; unfiltered; sediment

River – sampling point nr	Ge-filtered (µg/l) in water	Ge-untreated (µg/l) in water	Ge in sediment (mg/kgDW
Rhine -1	<0.1	0.04	0.2
Lippe -2	<0.1	0.04	0.2
Lippe -3	<0.1	0.06	0.2
Lippe -4	<0.1	0.05	0.2
Rhine -5	<0.1	0.03	0.2
Rhine -6	<0.1	0.02	0.4
Rhine -7	<0.1	0.02	0.3
Rhine -8	<0.1	0.07	0.4
Lahn -9	<0.1	0.02	0.5
Lahn -10	<0.1	0.01	0.4
Lahn -11	<0.1	0.02	0.2
Rhine -12	<0.1	0.01	/
Nahe -13	<0.1	0.03	0.4
Nahe -14	<0.1	0.01	0.2
Nahe -15	<0.1	0.02	0.5
Rhine -16	<0.1	0.01	0.4
Rhine -17	<0.1	0.01	/
Rhine -18	<0.1	0.01	0.3
Rhine -19	<0.1	0.01	/

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

study carried out according to scientific standards and aimed at providing Ge-regional levels in a worst case (industrialised) regional water. study therefore considered to be representative for regional Ge- levels in EU freshwaters.

Executive summary:

the 50P and 90P levels of Germanium in Rhine sediment were measured as 0.29 mg Ge/kg DW and 0.48 mg Ge/kg DW respectively.

Based on the data, a partition coefficient for sediment - water of 0.48 mg/kg / (0.049 * 0.001 mg/l) = >9796 L/kg could be derived using the 90P values; using the 50P values, the Kd was calculated as 0.29/0.021*0.001= >13810 L/kg