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National Park - Living Thermometer
of sign - the Norris Geyser Basin trail near Whirligig Geyser in Yellowstone National Park
taken June 2008
view of sign
view of sign
you imagine living in a geyser? Thermophiles - microorganisms that thrive in
the heat - are perfectly adapted to living in geysers
their runoff channels. Some live where temperatures are hottest, while
others reside in cooler areas. As you look at the colors
Whirligig Geyser, you are looking at a "living
122-140°F (50-60°C) Whirligig's runnoff channel is hot enough to burn
you. Thermophiles living here use iron for energy from
iron-rich water, and become coated with rust. These chemical-users are
algae, including Cyanidium, inhabit the green channel. Like plants,
these tiny single celled organisms photosynthesize,
use sunlight for energy. These "phototrophs" live
where temperatures range from 100-133°F (38-56°C).
Geyser Basin is highly acidic. Amazingly thermophiles living
here thrive in heat and acid.
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!
study these thermophiles to learn how life has adapted to iron-rich,
deposits here record one of Earth's most extreme habitats.
Scientists use this record to aid their search for similar deposits
possible life on Mars.
This exhibit made possible by a generous grant to the Yellowstone
Park Foundation from NASA Astrobiology Institute and
Martin Space Operations.
on the sign
to the text there is a picture of multicolored runoff, a thermometer and two close-ups
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