Germanium distribution in coal has long been a topic of interest. The enrichment of Ge near margins of coals, including the margins of partings within the coal, has been noted in many coals from numerous coalfields throughout the world. In this paper, a summary of literature on Ge geochemistry on the upper and lower margins of coal seams, with special emphasis on the literature of Russia, and the former Soviet Union, and Japan, is presented. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.