24/07/2025
Scientists have uncovered one of nature’s most fascinating little recyclers: a bacterium called Cupriavidus metallidurans that can actually “poop” pure gold. Thriving in environments loaded with toxic metals like copper and cadmium, this remarkable microbe survives where few others can. What truly sets it apart is its ability to transform these hazardous metals into gold nanoparticles, literally excreting tiny bits of solid gold as a waste product.
The science behind this marvel is called biomineralization. As the bacterium breaks down and detoxifies the metals during its natural metabolic process, it turns what’s harmful into something valuable. In effect, the bacteria “eat” the bad stuff and “poop” out gold a natural alchemy that’s turning heads in both science and industry. This discovery could revolutionize gold extraction, providing an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative to traditional methods that rely on toxic chemicals like cyanide.
But the possibilities don’t stop there. Harnessing these bacteria could also help clean up polluted sites and recover precious metals from electronic waste, making this tiny microbe a giant step forward in environmental innovation. It’s a vivid reminder that nature’s solutions often outshine even our wildest human inventions.
Credits/Sources:
Inspired by scientific discoveries and research into Cupriavidus metallidurans and biomineralization, as featured in science news and environmental innovation reports.
