Water temperature determines the color of the cyanobacteria able to live in the water, the hottest is yellow progressing to red-brown as the water coo

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Moving outward from the center of thermal features, the first ring of color is yellow, thanks to cyanobacteria called Synechococcus. The temperature of this yellow band is about 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). In the orange band, which is a cooler 149 degrees F (65 degrees C), you'd find not only Synechococcus bacteria but also Chloroflexus bacteria, which also contain both chlorophyll, for photosynthesis, and the carrot-colored carotenoids. Two other bacteria that produce orange-colored mats, Phormidium and Oscillatoria.

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Size: 3504px × 2336px
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Photo credit: © Gary Schimelfenig / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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