Beautiful Bacteria
A small section of the hot runoff from Grand Prismatic Spring.
The vivid colors in the Grand Prismatic spring runoff are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green.
Prettiest bacteria I've seen.
Amazing place.
Enjoy a wonderful summer weekend!
Beautiful Bacteria
A small section of the hot runoff from Grand Prismatic Spring.
The vivid colors in the Grand Prismatic spring runoff are the result of pigmented bacteria in the microbial mats that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature of the water which favors one bacterium over another. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green.
Prettiest bacteria I've seen.
Amazing place.
Enjoy a wonderful summer weekend!