The bacterium that lays tiny nuggets of gold

[JackLuis]

I'll bet they are tiny, if they're from bacterium.

Among the more peculiar organisms that inhabit our Earth exists a bacterium that turns water-soluble gold into microscopic nuggets of solid gold, scientists said Sunday.

Chemists have often pondered why the germ Delftia acidovorans is frequently found on the surface of tiny gold nuggets.

Its presence led scientists to speculate it may be creating the particles from soluble gold — ions of gold that are dissolved in water.

Mining by bio-aggregation?

That will interest the girls in science. A gold mine in a bath tub, wow!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I believe that a strain has been developed that is spectacularly more effective than the natural variety. At today's gold prices it may well be in use, quietly, somewhere in the world.

 

[R. Richard]

I'll bet they are tiny, if they're from bacterium.

Mining by bio-aggregation?

You also need Cupriavidus metallidurans.

 

[Handley_Page]

But where does one find loads of gold tetrachloride?

 

[DormantEvil]

Damn you science class, why am all I seeing is that the genus and species names are not in italics or underlined if italics is not available.

*facepalm*

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I know. Aggravating, isn't it?

 

[DormantEvil]

Indeed. At least someone understands our frustration. XD