Scientists from the University of Oulu in Finland have discovered that spruce trees can accumulate gold nanoparticles in their leaves thanks to bacteria. This confirm studied spruce trees growing near Europe's largest gold mine – Kittilä. Among 138 needle samples taken from 23 trees, 4 gold nanoparticles were found.
These particles are surrounded by biofilms formed by bacteria – Cutibacteria and Corynebacteria. Biofilms are composed of polysaccharides and protein compounds secreted by bacteria.
However, even if there is very little gold in the needle and it is impossible to get rich in this way, nevertheless, scientists still consider this phenomenon promising. Biological analysis of needles by identifying gold-bearing bacteria can serve as a convenient method to search for underground gold deposits.
