Nature's Stew
Runoff at Yellowstone's Firehole Spring on it's way to the Firehole River. The mix of colors and textures fascinate and captivate me. I spent a few years as a microbiologist/chemist long ago. The small world is a mind bender.
More examples in comments.
"The hydrothermal features of Yellowstone are magnificent evidence of Earth’s volcanic activity. Amazingly, they are also habitats in which microscopic organisms called thermophiles—“thermo” for heat, “phile” for lover—survive and thrive."
ps: I like it when you call me Phil.
"Species, unseen to the human eye, thrive in waters as acidic as the liquid in your car battery and hot enough to blister your skin. Some create layers that look like molten wax on the surface of steaming alkaline pools. Still others, apparent to us through the odors they create, exist only in murky, sulfuric caldrons that stink worse than rotten eggs.
Today, many scientists study Yellowstone’s thermophiles. Some of these microbes are similar to the first life forms capable of photosynthesis—the process of using sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to oxygen, sugars, and other by-products. These life forms, called cyanobacteria, began to create an atmosphere that would eventually support human life. Cyanobacteria are found in some of the colorful mats and streamers of Yellowstone’s hot springs." nps.gov
Thanks for your visit. Always appreciated!
Nature's Stew
Runoff at Yellowstone's Firehole Spring on it's way to the Firehole River. The mix of colors and textures fascinate and captivate me. I spent a few years as a microbiologist/chemist long ago. The small world is a mind bender.
More examples in comments.
"The hydrothermal features of Yellowstone are magnificent evidence of Earth’s volcanic activity. Amazingly, they are also habitats in which microscopic organisms called thermophiles—“thermo” for heat, “phile” for lover—survive and thrive."
ps: I like it when you call me Phil.
"Species, unseen to the human eye, thrive in waters as acidic as the liquid in your car battery and hot enough to blister your skin. Some create layers that look like molten wax on the surface of steaming alkaline pools. Still others, apparent to us through the odors they create, exist only in murky, sulfuric caldrons that stink worse than rotten eggs.
Today, many scientists study Yellowstone’s thermophiles. Some of these microbes are similar to the first life forms capable of photosynthesis—the process of using sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide to oxygen, sugars, and other by-products. These life forms, called cyanobacteria, began to create an atmosphere that would eventually support human life. Cyanobacteria are found in some of the colorful mats and streamers of Yellowstone’s hot springs." nps.gov
Thanks for your visit. Always appreciated!