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Monday, 27th June 2005 (6191 views)

Scientists have discovered the existence of gold in tree tings.<br/><br/>Using a nuclear reactor, US scientists found the gold in the rings, typically used to ascertain the age of a tree.<br/><br/>According to the scientists it is likely the precious metal is in the trees because of volcanic eruptions.<br/><br/>Kenan Unlu, now at Pennsylvania State University, told Live Science: "Initially, when we began this work at Cornell University, we were simply looking to see what elements in tree rings could be measured using neutron activation analysis."<br/><br/>Some rings showed particularly high levels of gold and further research revealed these were added in years of known volcanic eruptions.<br/><br/>Scientists will now look at trees from the past 6,000 years and the last 600 years are being studied to improve the skills involved with the procedure.<br/><br/>Gold ends up in the trees when they pull more nutrients from the ground during volcano eruptions because of a lack of light and nutrients.<img alt="track" src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=16031971"/>

 

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