Gold cycle
Article
The gold cycle describes the movement of gold among rocks, hydrothermal fluids, soils, sediments, water, and living organisms. Gold is rare and chemically resistant, but it can be transported under particular geological and biological conditions.
Hydrothermal fluids concentrate gold in veins and mineral deposits, often together with quartz and sulfide minerals. Weathering and erosion release particles and dissolved complexes from these deposits.
Rivers transport gold downstream, where dense grains can accumulate in placer deposits. Microorganisms may dissolve, transform, or precipitate gold compounds and contribute to the formation of secondary particles.
Mining, ore processing, smelting, waste disposal, and the use of mercury or cyanide can strongly alter local gold pathways. Burial, metamorphism, magmatism, uplift, and renewed erosion return gold through long geological cycles.
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- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_cycle