The differing color phases in the Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone Park are a result of diverse algae and microbes. Hot water springs emerge from the ground and the water cools as it flows down the incline, thereby producing distinct temperature zones; different strains of microbes are adapted to each temperature zone, and the distinctive color variations of the water are a result of the various microbes within each zone.

Researchers at the University of Colorado discovered that the microbes use hydrogen for food, which gives hope for finding life on other planets that have dissimilar chemical compositions to that on our planet.