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High‐resolution in‐situ thermal imaging of microbial mats at El Tatio Geyser, Chile shows coupling between community color and temperature
Author(s) -
Dunckel Anne E.,
Cardenas M. Bayani,
Sawyer Audrey H.,
Bennett Philip C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2009gl041366
Subject(s) - microbial mat , thermal , coupling (piping) , natural (archaeology) , microbial ecology , isothermal process , image resolution , remote sensing , ecology , geology , environmental science , mineralogy , optics , materials science , physics , biology , paleontology , meteorology , thermodynamics , cyanobacteria , bacteria , metallurgy
Microbial mats have spatially heterogeneous structured communities that manifest visually through vibrant color zonation often associated with environmental gradients. We report the first use of high‐resolution thermal infrared imaging to map temperature at four hot springs within the El Tatio Geyser Field, Chile. Thermal images with millimeter resolution show drastic variability and pronounced patterning in temperature, with changes on the order of 30°C within a square decimeter. Paired temperature and visual images show that zones with specific coloration occur within distinct temperature ranges. Unlike previous studies where maximum, minimum, and optimal temperatures for microorganisms are based on isothermally‐controlled laboratory cultures, thermal imaging allows for mapping thousands of temperature values in a natural setting. This allows for efficiently constraining natural temperature bounds for visually distinct mat zones. This approach expands current understanding of thermophilic microbial communities and opens doors for detailed analysis of biophysical controls on microbial ecology.