Scientists Find Gold Particles On Eucalyptus Plants In Australia

It's true - money does not grow on
trees. But gold does, at least
according to a group of scientists
who have confirmed the presence of
the mineral in the leaves of some
plants.
Australia based researchers found
the gold particles hidden within
eucalyptus tree foliage, indicating
that gold deposits may also be
buried many metres below.
The grains growing within the leaves
are approximately one fifth the
diameter of a human hair, making
the discovery unlikely to start a gold
rush. However, it can provide a
unique opportunity for mineral
exploration.
Geochemists from Australia's
Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRPO) said eucalyptus trees in
western Australia are drawing up
gold particles from the earth via
their root system and depositing it
their leaves and branches.
Although the amounts found were
tiny, their presence could indicate
gold ore deposits buried up to tens
of metres underground and under
sediments that are up to 60 million
years old.
Lead author of the study, Dr Mel
Lintern, said the team used CSIRO's
Maia detector, a machine that uses
x-rays to probe matter in great
detail, to search for gold deposits.
They were able to produce images of
gold found in the leaves, bark and
twigs of some of the trees.
Their research, published in the
journal Nature Communications,
suggested plants were absorbing
gold particles found around the
soils of eucalyptus trees, Dr Lintern
explained.
“The eucalypt acts as a hydraulic
pump – its roots extend tens of
metres into the ground and draw up
water containing the gold.
"As the gold is likely to be toxic to
the plant, it’s moved to the leaves
and branches where it can be
released or shed to the ground.
“The leaves could be used in
combination with other tools as a
more cost effective and
environmentally friendly exploration
technique.”
Dr Lintern added that by using this
technique of sampling and analysing
vegetation for traces of minerals, it
may be easier to observe what
occurs below the surface without
the need to drill. He said: "It’s a
more targeted way of searching for
minerals that reduces costs and
impact on the environment."
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/
science/money-doesnt-grow-on-trees--but-
gold-does-8898467.html

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10