Biogeochemical studies of areas of sulphide mineralization in Northern Greece

Biogeochemical and geobotanical studies have been carried out in several areas of sulphide mineralization in northern Greece. In porphyry copper areas, mineralized zones can be delineated by mapping the distribution of Minuartia verna, or by measuring the copper content of Rumex acetosella and Thymus sibthorpii. Elevated levels of molybdenum in the soil are indicated by higher concentrations of this element in T. sibthorpii. In an area of barite mineralization, biogeochemical methods were not useful in showing the barium distribution, but did provide an indication of the associated lead mineralization. The appearance of the nickel accumulator Alyssum murale near a zone of antimonite mineralization seems to be related to sporadic occurrences of ultrabasic rocks nearby.