Gold is often seen as the ultimate symbol of wealth—shiny and precious. While most think of it as rare, this metal actually exists in some surprising places. From our bodies to the oceans, gold is more common than we might believe.
Believe it or not, tiny amounts of gold can be found in our own bloodstreams. On average, a human body contains about 0.2 milligrams of gold. This small quantity plays a crucial role in transmitting electrical signals in nerve cells and helps maintain our joints. Though we can’t see this gold, it quietly contributes to our health, underscoring how integral it is to life.
Gold can also be found in the vast oceans. There are around 20 million tons of dissolved gold in seawater, but it’s far too diluted to extract profitably. Many scientists are fascinated by this “liquid gold,” even if current technology doesn’t allow us to tap into this resource.
Not just limited to Earth, gold has an out-of-this-world backstory. Most of the gold we see today was likely brought to our planet through meteorites that bombarded Earth billions of years ago. This has sparked interest in space mining, with some researchers eyeing asteroids as potential new sources for gold and other precious metals. For instance, asteroid Psyche 16 is estimated to contain gold worth $700 quintillion, enough to make everyone on Earth a billionaire!
Gold doesn’t just hide in rocks and oceans; certain plants can absorb tiny amounts of it from the soil. Species like eucalyptus and Norway spruce can take in microscopic gold particles through their roots. Research, published in Molecules, suggests that microbes might help these plants absorb and store gold, turning it into nanoparticles within their tissues. This connection illustrates just how interwoven gold is with our environment.
All these unexpected places where gold is found highlight its unique role in our world. Whether in our bodies, the oceans, or even outer space, gold’s journey is as fascinating as the metal itself.
