Geobotanical prospecting

Summary

Geobotanical prospecting refers to prospecting based on the composition and health of surrounding botanical life to identify potential resource deposits.[1] Using a variety of techniques, including indicator plant identification,[2] remote sensing[3] and determining the physical and chemical condition of the botanical life in the area,[4][5] geobotanical prospecting can be used to discover different minerals. This process has clear advantages and benefits, being relatively non-invasive and cost effective being chief among them.[2][3] However, the efficacy of this method is not without question and whether this form of prospecting is a valid scientific method (useful when used by itself or in conjunction with other prospecting methods) or a disproven method of the past has not been determined as identification of commercial mines are invariably guided by geological principles and confirmed by chemical assays.[6]

Underlying Principle edit

There is a complex interaction between soil and plants, with the nutrient and mineral composition of the soil heavily influencing both the type of botanical life it can support and the condition of that botanical life.[7][8] Using this principle, in certain cases, it is theoretically possible to determine the mineral content of the underlying soils and rocks (i.e., mineral deposits) using the overlying botanical life.[9]

History edit

In 2015, Stephen E. Haggerty identified Pandanus candelabrum as a botanical indicator for kimberlite pipes, a source of mined diamonds.[10]

The technique has been used in China since in the 5th century BC. People in the region noticed a connection between vegetation and the minerals located underground. There were particular plants that throve on and indicated areas rich in copper, nickel, zinc, and allegedly gold though the latter has not been confirmed. The connection arose out of an agricultural interest concerning soil compositions. While the process had been known to the Chinese region since antiquity, it was not written about and studied in the west until the 18th century in Italy.[11]

Methods edit

Geobotanical prospecting can be done through a variety of different methods. Any method that uses the overlying botanical life (in any way) as an indication of the underlying mineral composition can be considered geobotanical prospecting.[12] These can include indicator plant identification,[13] remote sensing,[14] and determining the physical and chemical condition of the botanical life.[15][16]

Indicator Plants edit

Indicator plant identification is determining the presence and distribution of certain indicator plants.[17] Certain plants prefer certain concentrations of minerals in the soil and would thus be more plentiful in areas with higher concentrations of their preferred mineral.[17][18] By mapping the distribution of indicator plants, it is possible to get an overview of the geology of the area.[17]

For example, the Viscaria Mine in Sweden was named after the plant Silene suecica (syn. Viscaria alpina) that was used by prospectors to discover the ore deposits.[19]

Applications and examples edit

Using the botanical life in the area to determine the underlying geological composition has been used in a variety of ways and for a variety of minerals.[20]

Copper (Cu) edit

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient that plants absorb from the soil.[21] Copper that is absorbed from the soil is used in various internal process such as photosynthesis, plant respiration and enzyme function.[22] However, increased concentrations of copper can lead to copper toxicity or copper mineralization, causing specific physiological responses in the plant.[23] This mineralization can then be detected through geobotanical surveys.[23]

Geobotanical prospecting for copper generally takes the form of identifying indicator plants, i.e., metallophyte species.[24] Metallophytes are plants that can tolerate high levels of heavy metals in the soils such as copper.[25] These metallophyte species can show symptoms of copper toxicity that can be detected through geobotanical methods like remote sensing.[26] These symptoms of copper toxicity can include altered photosynthesis cycles, stunted growth, discoloration and inhibition of root growth.[27][28]

Some popular examples of copper indicator plants include the Zambian copper flower Becium centraliafricanum,[29] Huumaniastrum kutungense,[30][31] and Ocimum centraliafricanum A "most faithful" indicator plant, the "copper plant" or "copper flower" formerly known as Becium homblei, found only on copper (and nickel) containing soils in central to southern Africa.[32][33] Lichens (Lecanora cascadensis) have also been used to determine copper mineralization.[34]

Geobotanical surveys for copper are most likely to consist of a variation of methods such as field observations and remote sensing (aerial photography and satellite imagery).[35][36] After potential copper rich areas are discovered through the methods such as those listed above, further exploration techniques can be used to confirm the presence of mineral deposits.[35] These exploration techniques can include soil sampling and geochemical analysis,[37][38] geophysical surveys and drilling.[39][40] Geobotanical prospecting is a useful first step in the prospecting process for copper deposits, and its full potential can be reached when used in conjunction with other prospecting methods.[40][41]

Gold (Au) edit

Prospecting for gold using geobotanical methods usually involves determining the gold content that has been absorbed by botanical life.[42] However, because the gold content in soils and in the corresponding vegetation is usually very low (practically undetectable), direct measuring of gold is unlikely to be effective.[43][44] To overcome this obstacle, detecting a suitable pathfinder mineral is the method usually employed.[42] Pathfinder minerals (a mineral that almost always occurs in conjunction with another mineral) most commonly associated with gold is Arsenic.[45] As for which plants are most likely to contain elevated levels of gold, shrubs from the genus Artemisia (sagebrush or wormwood) are recommended.[44]

Research has been ongoing for many years on the interaction between gold and vegetation.[46][47] These new methods could increase the accuracy of gold detection in vegetation.[47] However, at the present because of the difficulties in identifying gold contained within vegetation, geobotanical prospecting for gold is most effective when combined with other prospecting methods like geophysical surveys.[48][49]

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Prasad, M.N.V. (2015-12-31). "Geobotany-biogeochemical prospecting". Journal of Palaeosciences. 64 ((1-2)): 113–116. doi:10.54991/jop.2015.106. ISSN 2583-4266.
  2. ^ a b Amaral, Cibele Hummel do; Almeida, Teodoro Isnard Ribeiro de; Souza Filho, Carlos Roberto de; Roberts, Dar A.; Fraser, Stephen James; Alves, Marcos Nopper; Botelho, Moreno (2018-10-01). "Characterization of indicator tree species in neotropical environments and implications for geological mapping". Remote Sensing of Environment. 216: 385–400. Bibcode:2018RSEnv.216..385A. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2018.07.009. ISSN 0034-4257.
  3. ^ a b Schwaller, Matthew R.; Tkach, Steven J. (1985-04-01). "Premature leaf senescence; remote-sensing detection and utility for geobotanical prospecting". Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. 80 (2): 250–255. Bibcode:1985EcGeo..80..250S. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.80.2.250.
  4. ^ Oyeyemi, Oyesiji Cornelius; Iyakwari, Shekwonyadu; Obrike, Stephen Ewoma; Jangfa, Nanlir Geoffrey (2023-07-24). "Geobotanical and Biogeochemical Prospecting Method of Complex Sulphide Ore of Pb-Zn-Cu-Ba in Abuni-Adudu areas of the Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria". African Scientific Reports: 107. doi:10.46481/asr.2023.2.2.107. ISSN 2955-1617.
  5. ^ Hu, Guai; Cao, Jianjin; Jiang, Tao; Wang, Zhengyang; Yi, Zebang (2017). "Prospecting Application of Nanoparticles and Nearly Nanoscale Particles Within Plant Tissues". Resource Geology. 67 (3): 316–329. Bibcode:2017ReGeo..67..316H. doi:10.1111/rge.12130. ISSN 1344-1698.
  6. ^ Brooks, R. R. (1979-01-01). "Indicator plants for mineral prospecting — a critique". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 12: 67–78. Bibcode:1979JCExp..12...67B. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(79)90064-5. ISSN 0375-6742.
  7. ^ Faucon, Michel-Pierre (2021-06-24). Plant-Soil Interactions. MDPI. doi:10.3390/books978-3-0365-0407-0. ISBN 978-3-0365-0407-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ^ Pott, R. (2011). "Phytosociology: A modern geobotanical method". Plant Biosystems - an International Journal Dealing with All Aspects of Plant Biology. 145 (sup1): 9–18. Bibcode:2011PBios.145S...9P. doi:10.1080/11263504.2011.602740. ISSN 1126-3504.
  9. ^ Schiller, P.; Cook, G. B.; Beswick, C. K. (1971-05-01). "Determination of gold by non-destructive activation analysis for purposes of geochemical and geobotanical prospecting". Microchimica Acta. 59 (3): 420–428. doi:10.1007/BF01219048. ISSN 1436-5073.
  10. ^ Haggerty, Stephen E. (15 April 2015). "Discovery of a kimberlite pipe and recognition of a diagnostic botanical indicator in NW Liberia". Economic Geology. 110 (4): 851–856. Bibcode:2015EcGeo.110..851H. doi:10.2113/econgeo.110.4.851. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  11. ^ * Temple, Robert. The Genius of China. London: Prion Books Limited 1999 159 pages
  12. ^ Usik, Lily (1969). Review of geochemical and geobotanical prospecting methods in Peatland. Geological Survey of Canada. doi:10.4095/104007.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  13. ^ Amaral, Cibele Hummel do; Almeida, Teodoro Isnard Ribeiro de; Souza Filho, Carlos Roberto de; Roberts, Dar A.; Fraser, Stephen James; Alves, Marcos Nopper; Botelho, Moreno (2018-10-01). "Characterization of indicator tree species in neotropical environments and implications for geological mapping". Remote Sensing of Environment. 216: 385–400. Bibcode:2018RSEnv.216..385A. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2018.07.009. ISSN 0034-4257.
  14. ^ Schwaller, Matthew R.; Tkach, Steven J. (1985-04-01). "Premature leaf senescence; remote-sensing detection and utility for geobotanical prospecting". Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. 80 (2): 250–255. Bibcode:1985EcGeo..80..250S. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.80.2.250.
  15. ^ Oyeyemi, Oyesiji Cornelius; Iyakwari, Shekwonyadu; Obrike, Stephen Ewoma; Jangfa, Nanlir Geoffrey (2023-07-24). "Geobotanical and Biogeochemical Prospecting Method of Complex Sulphide Ore of Pb-Zn-Cu-Ba in Abuni-Adudu areas of the Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria". African Scientific Reports: 107. doi:10.46481/asr.2023.2.2.107. ISSN 2955-1617.
  16. ^ Hu, Guai; Cao, Jianjin; Jiang, Tao; Wang, Zhengyang; Yi, Zebang (2017). "Prospecting Application of Nanoparticles and Nearly Nanoscale Particles Within Plant Tissues". Resource Geology. 67 (3): 316–329. Bibcode:2017ReGeo..67..316H. doi:10.1111/rge.12130. ISSN 1344-1698.
  17. ^ a b c Amaral, Cibele Hummel do; Almeida, Teodoro Isnard Ribeiro de; Souza Filho, Carlos Roberto de; Roberts, Dar A.; Fraser, Stephen James; Alves, Marcos Nopper; Botelho, Moreno (2018-10-01). "Characterization of indicator tree species in neotropical environments and implications for geological mapping". Remote Sensing of Environment. 216: 385–400. Bibcode:2018RSEnv.216..385A. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2018.07.009. ISSN 0034-4257.
  18. ^ Prasad, M.N.V. (2015-12-31). "Geobotany-biogeochemical prospecting". Journal of Palaeosciences. 64 ((1-2)): 113–116. doi:10.54991/jop.2015.106. ISSN 2583-4266.
  19. ^ "Viscaria Mine, Kiruna, Lappland, Sweden". MinDat.org. Hudson Institute of Mineralogy. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  20. ^ Prasad, M.N.V. (2015-12-31). "Geobotany-biogeochemical prospecting". Journal of Palaeosciences. 64 ((1-2)): 113–116. doi:10.54991/jop.2015.106. ISSN 2583-4266.
  21. ^ Zheng, Xiaodi; Han, Guilin; Song, Zhaoliang; Liang, Bin; Yang, Xing; Yu, Changxun; Guan, Dong-Xing (2024-03-01). "Biogeochemical cycle and isotope fractionation of copper in plant–soil systems: a review". Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology. 23 (1): 21–41. Bibcode:2024RESBT..23...21Z. doi:10.1007/s11157-024-09681-8. ISSN 1572-9826.
  22. ^ Da Costa, M. V. J.; Sharma, P. K. (2016-03-01). "Effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on growth, morphology, photosynthesis, and antioxidant response in Oryza sativa". Photosynthetica. 54 (1): 110–119. doi:10.1007/s11099-015-0167-5. ISSN 1573-9058.
  23. ^ a b Pal, A. B.; Sindhupe, G. L. (2004-08-01). "A Preliminary Study of Indicator Plants for Copper Mineralization in Malanjkhand Granitoid, Madhya Pradesh". Geological Society of India. 64 (2): 146–152. ISSN 0974-6889.
  24. ^ van der Ent, Antony; Vinya, Royd; Erskine, Peter D; Malaisse, François; Przybyłowicz, Wojciech J; Barnabas, Alban D; Harris, Hugh H; Mesjasz-Przybyłowicz, Jolanta (2020-05-01). "Elemental distribution and chemical speciation of copper and cobalt in three metallophytes from the copper–cobalt belt in Northern Zambia". Metallomics. 12 (5): 682–701. doi:10.1039/c9mt00263d. ISSN 1756-5901. PMID 32255439.
  25. ^ CRC dictionary of agricultural sciences, Robert Alan Lewis, CRC Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8493-2327-4
  26. ^ Schwaller, Matthew R.; Tkach, Steven J. (1985-04-01). "Premature leaf senescence; remote-sensing detection and utility for geobotanical prospecting". Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. 80 (2): 250–255. Bibcode:1985EcGeo..80..250S. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.80.2.250.
  27. ^ Küpper, Hendrik; Götz, Birgit; Mijovilovich, Ana; Küpper, Frithjof C.; Meyer-Klaucke, Wolfram (2009-10-01). "Complexation and Toxicity of Copper in Higher Plants. I. Characterization of Copper Accumulation, Speciation, and Toxicity in Crassula helmsii as a New Copper Accumulator". Plant Physiology. 151 (2): 702–714. doi:10.1104/pp.109.139717. ISSN 1532-2548. PMC 2754650. PMID 19641032.
  28. ^ Dovletyarova, E. A.; Dubrovina, T. A.; Vorobeichik, E. L.; Krutyakov, Yu. A.; Santa-Cruz, J.; Yáñez, C.; Neaman, A. (2023-12-01). "Zinc's Role in Mitigating Copper Toxicity for Plants and Microorganisms in Industrially Contaminated Soils: A Review". Russian Journal of Ecology. 54 (6): 488–499. doi:10.1134/S1067413623060048. ISSN 1608-3334.
  29. ^ Brummer, J. J.; Woodward, G. D. (1999-03-01). "A history of the 'Zambian copper flower', Becium centraliafricanum (B. homblei)". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 65 (2): 133–140. Bibcode:1999JCExp..65..133B. doi:10.1016/S0375-6742(98)00068-5. ISSN 0375-6742.
  30. ^ de Plaen, G; Malaisse, F; Brooks, R. R (1982-01-01). "The 'copper flowers' of Central Africa and their significance for prospecting and archaeology". Endeavour. 6 (2): 72–77. doi:10.1016/0160-9327(82)90107-7. ISSN 0160-9327.
  31. ^ Brooks, R. R. (1979-01-01). "Indicator plants for mineral prospecting — a critique". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 12: 67–78. Bibcode:1979JCExp..12...67B. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(79)90064-5. ISSN 0375-6742.
  32. ^ Brooks, Robert R. (1992). Noble Metals and Biological Systems: Their Role in Medicine, Mineral Exploration, and the Environment. CRC Press. p. 181. ISBN 9780849361647.
  33. ^ de Plaen, G; Malaisse, F; Brooks, R. R (1982-01-01). "The 'copper flowers' of Central Africa and their significance for prospecting and archaeology". Endeavour. 6 (2): 72–77. doi:10.1016/0160-9327(82)90107-7. ISSN 0160-9327.
  34. ^ Czehura, S (1977). "A lichen indicator of copper mineralization, Lights Creek District, Plumas County, California". Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. 75 (5): 796–803. Bibcode:1977EcGeo..72..796C. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.72.5.796.
  35. ^ a b Schwaller, Matthew R.; Tkach, Steven J. (1985-04-01). "Premature leaf senescence; remote-sensing detection and utility for geobotanical prospecting". Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. 80 (2): 250–255. Bibcode:1985EcGeo..80..250S. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.80.2.250.
  36. ^ Hede, Arie Naftali Hawu; Koike, Katsuaki; Kashiwaya, Koki; Sakurai, Shigeki; Yamada, Ryoichi; Singer, Donald A. (2017). "How can satellite imagery be used for mineral exploration in thick vegetation areas?". Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 18 (2): 584–596. Bibcode:2017GGG....18..584H. doi:10.1002/2016GC006501. ISSN 1525-2027.
  37. ^ Wang, Quanying; Liu, Jingshuang; Liu, Qiang (2014-11-19). "Contamination of apple orchard soils and fruit trees with copper-based fungicides: sampling aspects". Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 187 (1): 4121. doi:10.1007/s10661-014-4121-y. ISSN 1573-2959. PMID 25407992.
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  39. ^ Bonetto, Sabrina Maria Rita; Caselle, Chiara; Comina, Cesare; Vagnon, Federico (2023). "Geophysical surveys for non-invasive characterization of sinkhole phenomena: A case study of Murisengo". Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 48 (9): 1895–1905. Bibcode:2023ESPL...48.1895B. doi:10.1002/esp.5584. ISSN 0197-9337.
  40. ^ a b Abedi, Maysam; Norouzi, Gholam-Hossain (2012-08-01). "Integration of various geophysical data with geological and geochemical data to determine additional drilling for copper exploration". Journal of Applied Geophysics. 83: 35–45. Bibcode:2012JAG....83...35A. doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2012.05.003. ISSN 0926-9851.
  41. ^ Taghipour, B; Hemmati, M (2013). "Geobotany and biogeochemistry of Sungun copper deposit, northern Iran; an implication to mineral exploration". Mineralogical Magazine. 77 (5): 2299. doi:10.1180/minmag.2013.077.5.20.
  42. ^ a b Brooks, R. R. (1982-11-01). "Biological methods of prospecting for gold". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 17 (2): 109–122. Bibcode:1982JCExp..17..109B. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(82)90028-0. ISSN 0375-6742.
  43. ^ Gagnon, Vanessa; Rodrigue-Morin, Michaël; Tardif, Antoine; Beaudin, Julie; Greer, Charles W.; Shipley, Bill; Bellenger, Jean-Philippe; Roy, Sébastien (2020). "Differences in elemental composition of tailings, soils, and plant tissues following five decades of native plant colonization on a gold mine site in Northwestern Québec". Chemosphere. 250: 126243. Bibcode:2020Chmsp.25026243G. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126243. PMID 32109699.
  44. ^ a b Erdman, J. A.; Olson, J. C. (1985-12-01). "The use of plants in prospecting for gold: A brief overview with a selected bibliography and topic index". Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 24 (3): 281–304. Bibcode:1985JCExp..24..281E. doi:10.1016/0375-6742(85)90039-1. ISSN 0375-6742.
  45. ^ Raju, P. V. Sunder (2008). "Role of pathfinder elements in gold exploration in Chitradurga Schist belt". Current Science (Bangalore). 95 (3): 323–325.
  46. ^ Schiller, P.; Cook, G. B.; Beswick, C. K. (1971-05-01). "Determination of gold by non-destructive activation analysis for purposes of geochemical and geobotanical prospecting". Microchimica Acta. 59 (3): 420–428. doi:10.1007/BF01219048. ISSN 1436-5073.
  47. ^ a b Qiao, Juan; Qi, Li (2021). "Recent progress in plant-gold nanoparticles fabrication methods and bio-applications". Talanta. 223 (Pt 2): 121396. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121396. PMID 33298252.
  48. ^ Ferguson, Ian J.; Young, Jeffrey B.; Cook, Becky J.; Krakowka, Ashley B. C.; Tycholiz, Cassandra (2016-08-01). "Near-surface geophysical surveys at the Duport gold deposit, Ontario, Canada: Relating airborne responses to small-scale geologic features". Interpretation. 4 (3): SH39–SH60. Bibcode:2016Int.....4H..39F. doi:10.1190/INT-2015-0216.1. ISSN 2324-8858.
  49. ^ Bonetto, Sabrina Maria Rita; Caselle, Chiara; Comina, Cesare; Vagnon, Federico (2023). "Geophysical surveys for non-invasive characterization of sinkhole phenomena: A case study of Murisengo". Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 48 (9): 1895–1905. Bibcode:2023ESPL...48.1895B. doi:10.1002/esp.5584. ISSN 0197-9337.

Books edit

  • Craddock, Paul T. Early Metal Mining and Production. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press 1995.