Bryophytes as a guide to mineralisation

Abstract

The use of bryophytes in mineral exploration is reviewed. “Copper mosses”, mainly members of the genera Merceya and Mielichhoferia, grow preferentially over substrates with high copper concentrations. Examination of the collection locality in herbarium specimens and subsequent exploration of this locality by conventional methods of mineral exploration can sometimes lead to discoveries of mineralisation. In New Zealand, aquatic bryophytes have been used in the search for uranium since they concentrate this element from streams draining uraniferous areas. © 1971 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.