Yellowstone Living Thermometer Abstract
by Debra Martz
Title
Yellowstone Living Thermometer Abstract
Artist
Debra Martz
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Yellowstone Living Thermometer Abstract by Debra Martz
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What you are seeing in this image is the runoff waters of Whirligig geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone.
From the informational sign you learn that there are thermophiles, microorganisms, that thrive in heat. The different colors are based on the degree of heat and that is what is referred to as the living thermometer.
At 122-140 degrees F (50-60 C) Whirligig's runoff channel is hot enough to burn you. Thermophiles living here use iron for energy from the iron-rich water and become coated with rust. These chemical users are called "chemothorps."
Thermophilic algae inhabit the green channel with heat ranging from 100-133 F (38-56 C). Like plants, these tiny single-celled organisms photosynthesize, therefore, they are called "phototrophs."
Thermophiles are too small to see without a microscope, but their vast communities are clearly visible. The number of thermophiles living beneath a ten-inch square may exceed the number of people on Earth!!
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Β©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved
In My Gallery/Collection:
"Abstracts"
"Yellowstone National Park"
Uploaded
December 10th, 2014
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