Gold in some New Zealand plants

Abstract

Gold concentrations in New Zealand plants growing in the vicinity of the old Martha Mine, Waihi, are reported. Concentrations in plant ash of 11 species ranged from 0.18 to 1.38 μg/g Au for soil samples containing 0.60 to 7.60 μg/g Au. There was a very highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation between gold levels in plant ash of all species taken together and the gold content of the soil. This relationship is so marked that there is a possibility of using plant material for biogeochemical prospecting for gold in New Zealand. © 1978 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.