New research has revealed that precious metals such as platinum can be found in the stumps of ancient trees.

Experts from Ulan-Ude, Irkutsk and Novosibirsk have discovered that biogeochemical anomalies in complex ore deposit regions were created by microbes and trees.

The trees draw out the soluble salts from the soil and after they die leave behind the concentrate of precious metals, including platinum, gold and silver.

According to Azom.com, the researchers have found that the deposits left behind in the ancient tree stumps are "enormous", with a ton of the decayed stumps' ashes producing as much as five grams of platinum, as well as three kilograms of silver and nearly 200 milligrams of gold.

The experts also discovered that platinum group metals, as well as gold and silver, are contained in extinct bacteria capsules. The researchers believe trees and microorganisms sucked out noble elements from the soil over the centuries and when the trees died, these elements were left near the surface, in the tree stumps. Other elements were washed away, leaving behind the precious metals.

Source:

Precious Metals Found in Ancient Tree Stumps, 16/08/07
http://www.azom.com/details.asp?newsID=9661

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