This particular species of tree is called Eucalyptus marginata, more commonly known as the eucalyptus tree. Interestingly, these trees often grow in places where gold metal is present, and their roots have an uncanny ability to absorb gold, which then accumulates in their leaves. The reason behind this lies in the eucalyptus tree’s extensive root system, which can reach depths of up to 40 meters, allowing them to access tiny gold particles and transport them upwards to the leaves.
Compared to other trees, the eucalyptus tree’s roots can penetrate much deeper into the soil, sometimes reaching depths of 40 meters. This enables them to access groundwater and, in the process, collect certain minerals like gold. Scientists have employed a method called vegetation sampling to search for minerals. They discovered that eucalyptus leaves contain traces of gold.
In 2013, research conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia and published in Nature Communications shed light on this unique phenomenon. The study found that by analyzing eucalyptus leaf samples, they could identify the presence of gold crystals. The researchers traveled to Freddo Gold Prospect in northern Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, to validate their findings. They confirmed that the gold in the leaves was not due to environmental pollution but was, in fact, absorbed from the soil.
What surprised many experts was the discovery of mature eucalyptus trees growing above deep-seated gold deposits. The leaves, branches, and bark of these trees exhibited exceptionally high gold concentrations. In a controlled experiment, scientists grew eucalyptus saplings in a greenhouse, planting them in pots containing sand mixed with gold. Remarkably, the leaves of these young trees also contained gold particles.
How much gold can be found in a eucalyptus leaf?
While it is true that eucalyptus trees can absorb gold from the soil, the amount of gold present in each leaf is minuscule, dashing the dreams of treasure hunters hoping for larger quantities. The gold content in the leaves is approximately 46 parts per billion, which equates to about 0.000005% by weight. This means that even if you were to collect leaves from 500 eucalyptus trees, the gold yield would barely be enough to craft a small ring. Nonetheless, this discovery has opened up a new, environmentally friendly approach to gold exploration.
In 2019, a company called Marmota successfully located gold in South Australia using this botanical exploration technique. They discovered a gold vein measuring 6 meters thick, containing 3.4 grams of gold per ton, at a depth of approximately 44 meters. Eucalyptus trees are long-lived, hardwood trees that are grown for their valuable timber and essential oils, which find applications in medicine for pain relief, stress reduction, anti-inflammatory purposes, and overall health protection.
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