A method for the analysis of trace germanium in marine sediments by HG-AFS has been investigated. The experimental conditions such as the acidity of reduction reaction, the amount of sodium boro-hydride, the carrier gas flow rate, etc., were tested and optimized by using a kind of orthogonal design. The detection limit of the presented method is 0.95 μg L -1 for germanium. The calibration curve shows a satisfactory line in the concentration range 0-320 μg L -1 Ge with a variation coefficient of ±2.1%. A method for the analysis of trace germanium in marine sediments by HG-AFS has been investigated. The experimental conditions such as the acidity of reduction reaction, the amount of sodium boro-hydride, the carrier gas flow rate, etc., were tested and optimized by using a method of orthogonal design. The detection limit of the presented method is 0.95 μg L -1 for germanium. The calibration curve shows a satisfactory line in the concentration range 0-320 μg L -1 Ge with a variation coefficient of ± 2.1%.