360 Tons of Gold Within Annual Worldwide Sewage Flows?

Now here’s an amusing story.  Science Magazine published an article discussing just how much gold and silver particles are sloshing down worldwide sewage systems.  Commenting on the story, Matt Cantor noted an estimated 360 tons of gold are hidden in tiny particles that flow through annual worldwide sewage.

That figure is probably a vast over-statement given that it represents roughly 1/8th of annual gold mine supply.  Nevertheless, there’s a lot of precious metals in that muck.  Maybe someone ought to give Treasury Secretary Jack Lew some diving gear.  Germany will not mind smelly gold.  They’re probably refining old US “coin melt” bars anyway!

#Newser Your City’s Sewage Could Hold $2.6M in Gold and Silver: The sewage being treated by your city could be… http://t.co/R8Rxl4ETl2

— All The News Is Now (@AllTheNewsIsNow) January 31, 2015