Water runoff from Link Geyser supports many cyanobacteria, types are based on the temperature of the water cooling as it flows from the geyser
The Bottomless Pit and Link Geyser water in the orange color, which is 149 degrees F, you'd find not only Synechococcus bacteria but also Chloroflexus bacteria, which contain both chlorophyll, for photosynthesis, and the carrot-colored carotenoids. Two other bacteria that produce orange-colored mats, Phormidium and Oscillatoria. Farther away, the temperatures get lower and there is a greater diversity of microbes that can survive there. The outermost layer, at 131 degrees F, is a red-brown or burgundy color. Another carotenoid-carrying microbe also comes into play at this temperature, Deinococcus-Thermus Thermus creates bright red or orange streamers
Size: 3504px × 2336px
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Photo credit: © Gary Schimelfenig / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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