Story: Life in hot springs

Sinter, Lake Rotokawa

Sinter, Lake Rotokawa

This silica sinter is growing in the highly acidic water of Lake Rotokawa, near Taupō. The needle-like silica growths are called spicules, and the green coating is the alga Cyanidium, which is able to live in hot, acidic conditions.

Using this item

GNS Science, Extremophile photo collection
Reference: DSCO_3323
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 - Acidophiles', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6463/sinter-lake-rotokawa (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Bruce Mountain, published 12 Jun 2006