Gold growing in eucalyptus trees

Gold growing in eucalyptus trees

The discovery, the first of its kind in the world and the first time gold particles have been found in living material.

Geoscientists in Perth, Australia have discovered gold particles in the leaves, twigs and bark of eucalyptus trees, claiming a "eureka" moment that could revolutionise gold mining. CSIRO researchers believe the trees, sitting on top of gold deposits buried deep underground, suck up the gold in their search for moisture during times of drought.

Scientists said, "To actually see the gold particles in the leaves was quite a eureka moment for us and they were not expecting it"

The trees appear to be telling scientists what is happening under the earth's surface. The particular trees that were researched upon appear to be bringing up gold from 30 metres depth, which is about the equivalent of a 10-storey building.

The research group used the CSIRO's Maia detector for x-ray elemental imaging at the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne to analyse extremely small particles at high resolution.

The portions of gold are about one-fifth the diameter of a human hair. The researchers said they have also found gold in the leaves of other trees, such as the Acacia mulga.

Gold existed not only in trees but in shrubs that are growing beneath the trees as well.