A study of Au-bearing-nanoparticle-enriched plants from the concealed gold deposits and their prospecting significance

Abstract

This study analyzes Au-bearing nanoparticles in five plant species (Anemone vitifolia, Taraxacum mongolicum, Artemisia argyi, Larix gmelinii, and Equisetum arvense) from the Yangshan gold deposit. Numerous Au-bearing nanoparticles were discovered in the five predominant plants within the ore deposit. It was found that plants differ in terms of their absorption and tolerance of Au-bearing nanoparticles. Among the five dominant plant species, Anemone vitifolia exhibits the highest absorption and accumulation capacity for Au-bearing nanoparticles, making it an Au-bearing-nanoparticle-enriched plants. The Au-bearing-nanoparticle-enriched plants which can super enrich Au-bearing nanoparticles store more abundant and intuitive information about deeply concealed gold ore bodies. Nanoparticles with similar composition and morphology were found in both the root and stem specimens of the Anemone vitifolia. It is shown that the Au-bearing nanoparticles in the stem cells were probably transported from the root. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between Au-bearing nanoparticles in plants and deep concealed gold deposits and the process whereby Au-bearing nanoparticles migrate from gold orebodies to plants. The Au-bearing nanoparticles can carry information from the concealed gold ore body to the surface medium, and then be absorbed by the roots of Au-bearing-nanoparticle-enriched plants, gaining access to the aboveground parts of the plants. Therefore, this paper advances a new technology for gold deposit exploration using Au-bearing nanoparticles for the enrichment of plants.