Story perspectives
Norway Spruce Trees Show Gold Accumulation Potential
10/9/2025
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Story summary
- Scientists from the University of Oulu report Norway spruce can biomineralize gold nanoparticles, indicating trees accumulate gold.
- Near the Kittilä gold mine, researchers collected 138 needles from 23 trees and found gold in four.
- Bacterial biofilms around the gold particles suggest microbes influence accumulation.
- Concentrations were low (0.2–2.8 micrograms per kilogram); screening bacteria could aid eco-friendly exploration.
