Biogeochemical Exploration for Gold Mineralization Using Wild Plants

Year 2024, Volume: 11 Issue: 3, 1125 - 1140, 30.08.2024

Osama Ebyan

https://doi.org/10.18596/jotcsa.1421730

Abstract

Lotus hebranicus and Zilla spinosa were selected for gold biogeochemical exploration in Wadi El-Missikat. Their soil associations were examined using Inductively Coupled Plasma, Emission&Mass spectrometry, ICPES spectrometry, and Mass Spectrometry. The significant levels of gold in plants and soil, along with the consistent link between gold and its markers, plus the relationship between gold in plants and soil, suggest the presence of gold mineralization in nearby rocks in the area under investigation. Lotus hebranicus has a greater ability to accumulate Au compared to Zilla spinosa. Both of these species can be utilized for exploring and phytoremediating silver. Additionally, Lotus hebranicus is more effective in uptaking and storing Sb than Zilla spinosa, making it valuable for treating Sb contamination. Lotus hebranicus and Zilla spinosa are beneficial for both exploration and remediation tasks.

Keywords

biogeochemical exploration, Phytoremediation, Gold, Silver, Antimony, Arsenic

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval statement All authors certify that this paper is unique, that it has not been published anywhere in any form or language (in part or in whole), and that it has not been submitted to more than one publication for consideration at the same time. I also state clearly that the results are presented accurately, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or data modification (including image-based manipulation).

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