Subj : ES Picture of the Day 03  2022
To   : All
From : Dan Richter
Date : Tue May 03 2022 12:01:08

 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Rainbow Swamp

   May 03, 2022

    6E91DB78-18F2-4DE8-B59E-005515A3B5A5

   Photographer:  Daniel Widner

   Summary Authors:  Daniel Widner;  Cadan Cummings

   The photo above features two types of rainbow effects, one an artifact
   of the camera and the other a unique  biological process. As part of
   the  nutrient cycle,  swamps are constantly growing and recycling
   energy and matter. When a plant dies or leaves drop in the fall, the
   vegetation begins decaying before eventually bacteria and other
    decomposers break it down to acquire nutrients they need to
   survive. In the case of the swamp above, natural oils were produced by
   decomposing vegetation as well as possible from  anaerobic bacteria
   reducing iron in the soil. This resulted in a thin film being created
   on the surface of the swamp, visible as a rainbow of different pastel
   hues. For the multicolored layer to be so noticeable, the waters must
   have been still long enough for the oils to separate out of the water.

   Visible in the top of the image is an equally colorful  lens flare
   caused by an internal reflection within the camera. This type of image
   artifact is common under bright light and highly reflective conditions.
   Although inadvertent, the lens flare gives the photo a unique look
   combined with this already colorful and unusual microbial process.
     * Charles City County, Virginia Coordinates: 37.402, -77.148

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-
   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
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