Story: Life in hot springs

Champagne Pool, Waiotapu (1st of 2)

Champagne Pool, Waiotapu

The bright colours at Champagne Pool near Rotorua are caused by trace amounts of arsenic and antimony. These are extracted from the water by sulfur precipitating in the pool. The ridges around the pool are composed of sinter (fine-grained silica). The pool and its margins are teeming with microbial life.

Using this item

GNS Science, Extremophile photo collection
Reference: DCP_1501
Photograph by Bruce Mountain

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Bruce Mountain, 'Life in hot springs - Extremophiles', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6453/champagne-pool-waiotapu (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bruce Mountain, published 12 Jun 2006