u/smokey-0wl

Came in to share my $.2. Bronze CANNOT be sniffed when it’s not physically present as what gives the metallic smell is really lipid peroxidation when the metal comes into contact with lipids on HUMAN skin, usually who’s holding the metal object that’s being sniffed. in the absence of the metallic object (the bronze chest in this case) and a person holding it, there no source of odorant for a he olfactory system to send signal to the brain to actually smell the bronze so to say! Odorants are the chemicals that trigger the sense of smell and need to be present for this sensation.

yes, soil can be contaminated by HEAVY metals (note bronze is an ALLOY not HEAVY metal). Yes the chest was in contact with the soil for ~10 years. But the chest didn’t corrode to a point where it was left in its ELEMENTAL form mixed into the soil! There’s a big difference between the age related wear and tear expected from being exposed to the elements, but this DOES NOT mean it left residues in the soil.

now let’s assume Cowlazars team went yesterday (tho the trail seems closed online). lets assume the finder took the chest pics in June. That is a good 4 months where that soil WAS NOT in contact with the bronze chest and just sat there exposed to natural elements before Justin’s dog sniffed it and gave the final confirmation of the spot being THE SPOT.

you need actually bronze in the soil with human skin to induce lipid peroxiation to get the bronze metallic smell in order for the doggo to sniff, soil sample without these is not enough!

Justin with the bronze snifffing dog - sorry to disappoint, but what your pup smelled or signaled WAS NOT bronze or remnants of bronze from the treasure chest! I hope this helps you decide for yourself if this is enough for you (as the lady in the video keeps repeating).

do some research before believing anything online ppl!
source - I was a physics and chemistry TA in undergrad and grad school!