Earth's core holds 99% of the planet's gold, say scientists

A recent scientific discovery explains why gold, although plentiful on Earth, remains so rare and highly prized, costing upwards of R$300,000 per kilogram.

According to studies led by Professor Bernard Wood of Macquarie University in Australia, more than 99% of the Earth's gold is located in the planet's core, which explains its scarcity in the Earth's crust.

Professor Wood's discoveries

An interesting fact is that, theoretically, it is possible to cover the Earth's surface with a layer of gold 50 centimeters thick, considering its high volume on our planet.

However, the reality is that this precious metal is considered rare due to its inaccessible concentration deep in the Earth's core.

The Earth's core is composed predominantly of iron and nickel. However, studies have revealed the presence of impurities, including radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium, which contribute to the high temperatures in this region.

The team of scientists, led by Wood, developed a model that explains the trajectories of the elements and confirms the presence of gold in the core.

Through the analysis of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, originating from asteroids with a composition similar to that of Earth, scientists were able to calculate the amounts of elements present in the core. This was done by subtracting the known concentrations in the Earth's crust and mantle.

Repercussions

This discovery has not only scientific but also economic implications. A NASA, for example, plans to send a probe towards the asteroid Psyche in the coming months. This is one of the heaviest asteroids of its kind, with the possibility of containing large amounts of gold and other precious metals.

However, even if asteroids rich in precious metals might seem like an untapped source of wealth, experts warn that large-scale exploration could devalue these metals in the global market.

Furthermore, the prospect of releasing large amounts of gold from the Earth's core also raises questions about the economic impact of this hypothetical discovery.

The studies led by Professor Wood were published in renowned scientific journals in 2005 and 2006, but remain relevant today. They have stood the test of time and received numerous subsequent citations in academic papers.