Utilization of humus-rich forest soil (mull) in geochemical exploration for gold

Curtin, Gary C.; Lakin, H. W.; Neuerburg, George J.; Hubert, Aurélia

doi:10.3133/cir562

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…The presence of gold in living plants and the enrichment of gold in the humus layer of the soil, as demonstrated by Goldschmidt (1937) and by Curtin, Lakin, Neuerburg, and Hubert (1968), suggest that gold is dissolved and transported in soil solutions and is taken up by plants. The summary by Jones (1970) of available data on the occurrence of gold in water, plants, and animals further substantiates the evidence that gold is mobilized in the weathering environment.…”

Section: Introduction Scope Of Reportmentioning

confidence: 90%

Geochemistry of gold in the weathering cycle

Lakin¹,

Curtin²,

Hubert³

1974

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Section: Introduction Scope Of Reportmentioning

confidence: 90%

Geochemistry of gold in the weathering cycle

Lakin¹,

Curtin²,

Hubert³

1974

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“…In North America the development of a truck-mounted spectrograph laboratory (Canney et al, 1957) triggered a widespread interest, and although the above authors suggested that spectrographic laboratories be used only in the reconnaissance part of an exploration program because of the cost, truck-mounted spectrographic laboratories soon became an essential part of the data acquisition process, at least in the United States. Data attainable by optical emission spectrography revealed some hitherto unknown mineral assemblages (Curtin et al, 1968).…”

Section: Innovations In Optical Emission Spectrographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Analytical methodology in the search for metallic ores

Ward¹,

Bondar²

1979

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Atomic absorption and emission spectrography are the methods of analysis most widely used in geochemical exploration. Development of nonflame atomizers, particularly electrothermal devices and reduction cells for atom and metal-hydride generation, has expanded the application of atomic absorption spectrometry by pushing detection limits of many elements well into the parts per billion range and by reducing detection limits for others, such as As, Se, Te, and Sn, to levels useful in lithogeochemical surveys. The recent promotion of inductively-coupled plasma sources for excitation, as well as other variations, such as use of echelle gratings, has increased the number of available spectrographic methods for multielement surveys and has simplified the application of partial extraction techniques in emission spectrography. Other methods that require mass spectrometers and gas chromatographs are being used to measure volatile indicator elements and compounds such as helium and sulphur gases. Analytical techniques, including those based on voltammetry, ion-selective electrodes, and the use of partial or selective extractions, are finding increased application as analytical tools and as aids in determining metal speciation better to understand geochemical processes of dispersion and concentration. Current interest in uranium exploration has sparked a major effort to develop new analytical methods or improve existing ones for the determination of uranium and related radionuclides. Exploration geologists may now choose conventional fluorimetry, delayed neutron counting, X-ray fluorescence, laser-induced fluorescence, and nuclear-fission track techniques for the determination of uranium. The choice will depend on sensitivity required, sample media being analyzed, chemical species of the uranium to be determined, turnaround time required, and cost considerations. Two of the methods described, conventional fluorimetry and laser-induced fluorescence, can be adapted for use in the field. While recent developments of new techniques and apparatus have greatly expanded the number of usefUl analytical techniques in exploration geochemistry, each has its own problems and limitations as well as its applications. A panacea for analytical problems does not yet exist, except perhaps in the person of the skilled analyst, whose ingenuity in developing and applying new methods augments diligent application of tried and true procedures. Resume Pour l'exploration geochimique, les methodes d'analyse les plus frequemment employees sont la spectrophotometrie d'absorption atomique et la spectrographie d'emission. La mise au point de methodes spectrophotometriques sans flamme, en particulier d'appareils electrothermiques et de cellules reductrices permettant d'obtenir des atomes et des hydrures metalliques, a elargi les applications de la spectrophotometrie d'absorption atomique, en poussant les limites de detection de nombreux e1ements jusqu'a la gamme des parties par milliard, et en reduisant les limites de detection d'autres elements, comme A...

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“…Studies by Curtin, Lakin, Neuerburg, • and Hubert (1968) showed that enrichment of gold occurs in mull (humus-rich forest soil) which overlies gold deposits and that analysis of this mull may be a useful method of prospecting for gold.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Absorption of gold by plants

Shacklette¹,

Lakin²,

Hubert³

et al. 1970

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Rooted plants and unrooted cuttings of impatiens (Im• patiens holstii) and garden balsam (I. balsfMnina) did not absorb through roots, or absorb and transport through cut stems, gold sols reduced by glucose or sodium oxalate that contained Au 198 , as shown by leaf autoradiographs. Radioactive gold from a chloride solution was not found in leaves of rooted impatiens and garden bal: sam plants but was found in leaves of unrooted cuttings, even though some of the gold was precipitated as a blue coating of colloidal gold on the cut surfaces and in vascular cells. Leaf auooradiographs showed that Au 198 in solutions of gold cynanide, bromide, iodide, and thiocyanate was absorbed by both rooted plants and unrooted cuttings but that generally more was absorbed by the unrooted cuttings. The concentrations used produced necrosis of the plants. Rooted plants in more dilute Au 198 CN absorbed radioactive gold and transported it to the leaves while the plants produced new root growth and flowers. Radioactive gold in a thiosulfate solution was not absorbed by rooted plants, but large amounts of it were absorbed by unrooted cuttings. Radioactive gold solubilized by an extract from flax plants that contained hydrogen cyanide derived by enzymatic action on a natural glycoside was absorbed in greater amounts by rooted plants than by unrooted cuttings. Atomic absorption analyses of stems and leaves of Impatiens showed that nonradioactive gold (Au 197) chloride, cyanide, bromide, iodide, and thiosulfate were readily absorbed by both rooted plants and unrooted cuttings. Of these compounds, gold cynanide was absorbed in the largest amounts and constituted as much as 320 parts per million of the dry weight of the plant. Roots of onion (Allium cepa) bulbs readily precipitated colloidal gold from solutions of gold chloride and gold bromide. Roots of this plant were able to grow in lengrt;h in dilute gold cyanide solutions. The experiments indicated that dilute solutions of gold cyanide were readily absorbed without causing damage to rooted plants. If gold is present in the soil and if cyanogenic plants are rooted in this soil, a mechanism is present for the entrance of gold into the biogeochemical cycling process.

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Utilization of humus-rich forest soil (mull) in geochemical exploration for gold

Cited by 10 publications

References 0 publications

Geochemistry of gold in the weathering cycle

Geochemistry of gold in the weathering cycle

Analytical methodology in the search for metallic ores

Absorption of gold by plants

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