Bacteria that Produce Pure Gold

All bacteria are microorganisms which survive for millions years. During this entire period they had to evolve in order to survive. Those microorganisms are invisible for our eyes and they exist in places where human wouldn’t survive.

Pure gold is one of the most wanted and popular metal in the world now. In nature, gold can be found together with chlorine and these two metals make one very toxic compound.  99 % of the gold we find is gold chloride at first.

Scientists use the bacteria called cupravidus metallodurans to get pure gold. When scientists discovered this type of bacteria they began to experiment with it. This bacterium lives in conditions where heavy metals are highly present. It has been discovered in 2001 living in anaerobic environment with high concentration of heavy metals (mercury, arsen, gold).

In an experiment, scientists have put the bacteria in a solution of gold chloride. The bacteria cleaned the gold from toxins and the result was 24-carat gold. After the experiment, scientists have found gold nugget on the bottom.

In addition, the bacterium changes the electric charge to negative, which makes it possible for the gold to be used even at home. Experts think that this process is present in nature, as well. So, maybe some of the gold nuggets we find are made by this bacterium.