Old Faithful Virtual Visitor Center

Lobby > Exhibits > Hot Spring Ecology > Microbes > Meet the Microbes > Acidic Springs

Meet the Microbes

ACIDIC SPRINGS

There are several very acidic hydrothermal areas in Yellowstone, most notably at Norris Geyser Basin and in the Mud Volcano area. The colors in acidic hot springs are due to the presence of minerals and to microorganisms. Some minerals are eaten and metabolized by microbes!

Reds, blues and greens color the runoff channel of a hot spring in Norris Geyser Basin


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This work is supported by

National Science Foundation    Yellowstone Park Foundation
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