ALL ABOUT GOLD
Money doesn’t grow on trees, but according to scientists
from CSIRO, gold most certainly does!
They have discovered tiny nuggets in the leaves and
branches of eucalyptus trees growing in the Kalgoorlie region of Western
Australia.
CSIRO geochemist Dr Mel Lintern said the trees act as
hydraulic pumps, drawing up water containing gold from tens of metres beneath
the surface.
As the gold is likely to be toxic to the plant, it is
moved to the leaves and branches where it can be released or shed to the
ground," he said.
If you are re hoping to spot gold-laden gum eaves, forget
it. Unfortunately, it requires advanced x-ray imaging technology to see the
grains of precious metal about one-fifth the diameter of a human hair.
However, the discovery may prove a boon to mining
exploration companies as the leaves or soil underneath the trees could
indicate gold ore deposits buried deep underground.
"The leaves could be used in combination with other
tools as a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly exploration
technique," Dr Lintern said.
