A bacteria consumes toxic metals and excretes gold pellets
Australia and Germany-based researchers have uncovered the mechanism by which bacteria C. metallidurans digests toxic compounds and excretes gold pellets, almost nine years after its discovery. The rod-shaped bacteria live in the soil and flush out toxic metals using an enzyme, which is suppressed in the presence of gold. The gold accumulates as nanometre-sized "nuggets" which are then released.