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File:Grand prismatic spring.jpg

Description Aerial view of Grand Prismatic Spring; Hot Springs, Midway & Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park. The spring is approximately 250 by 300 feet (75 by 91 m) in size.

This photo shows steam rising from hot and sterile deep azure blue water (owing to the light absorbing overtone of an OH stretch which is shifted to 698 nm by hydrogen bonding ) in the centre surrounded by huge mats of brilliant orange algae and bacteria. The colour of which is due to the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoid molecules produced by the organisms. During summertime the chlorophyll content of the organisms is low and thus the mats appear orange, red, or yellow. However during the winter, the mats are usually dark green, because sunlight is more scarce and the microbes produce more chlorophyll to compensate, thereby masking the carotenoid colors.

Español: Imagen aérea del Grand Prismatic Spring; aguas termales y geiser Midway (medio) y Lower (bajo), en el Parque Nacional Yellowstone, Wyoming.
Français : Image aérienne du Grand Prismatic Spring situé dans le Parc national de Yellowstone aux États-unis.
Date July 2001
Source http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/slidefile/thermalfeatures/hotspringsterraces/midwaylower/Images/17708.jpg ; English Wikipedia, original upload 1 April 2004 by ChrisO
Author Jim Peaco, National Park Service

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Public domain This image or media file contains material based on a work of a National Park Service employee, created as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, such work is in the public domain. See the NPS website and NPS copyright policy for more information.

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