Toxic Treasures by brewgirlca
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Description
The beautiful vibrant colors, especially the reds, orange and yellows hold a dark secret. This is in fact a copper and uranium mine in southern Colorado. The colors are from the heavy metals leaching into the soil and they are poisening the land.
But it is not all bad news. Several rare species of plants have adapted themselves to living in these harsh conditions. In fact a whole ecological group of mosses are called "copper mosses." They live in these areas to escape competition from other plants. They are so specific to living on these types of rocks that prospectors use them when surveying. If they find the mosses they know for sure they are on a deposit rich in copper, uranium or other heavy metals like gold!
As a biologist working in the area I would look for particular vibrant colors of bedrock to help find the plant species I was searching for! I never looked for the plants themselves; I hunted for colored bedrock.
Comments (27)
Tracesl
excellent
SidheRoseGraphics
Telluride? They have a ton of issues there because of the mining. A very colorful picture, but not what 'Colorful Colorado' should mean really. Lol. That's quite interesting about the mosses and plants. So, they adapt even without the area having been mined if I'm reading this correctly. Copper does have many colors which are really pretty, but yea - toxic. Great shot, Roxy!
mgtcs
Marvelous landscape Roxy, amazing texture and lighting! excellently done!
Faemike55
as Jeff Goldblum said, Life finds a way! Very cool information Roxy and great photo
brewgirlca
Rayvn: Yes, many of these plants are from ancient groups. Some even from the last Pangea. They have been at it for a very long time. Others however, are relativley more recent, like some mosses that are growing on oceanic bedrock that has been pushed onto the surface in some parts of California. But whatever, they were "pre-adapted" to take advantage of mining sites. And yea, as I remember this somewhere around Telluride.
odile
Superb shot and your information is very interesting.Thank you for this!
nefertiabet
Thank you for the wonderful info !!! Beautiful landscape and shot my friend!!!
adrie
Very beautiful landscape view and capture Roxy!
eekdog Online Now!
colorful colorado! beautiful area you were at roxy..
nitegrafix
Great scene! stunning work!!!!! Good job.
barryjeffer
Like many toxic things, it has made itself look inviting and beautiful... as a warning to stay away. I wish I had learned that trick earlier in life. Great shot Roxy... and very informative description.
Fidelity2
It is very cool. I thank you for this one. You are very talented. 5+!
Dreamdesigner
Well,What can I say?:-))Another great photo and wonderful information from our talented artist and scientist friend Roxy:-))I'll always view your magnificent works with pleasure:-))Thank you very much for all of your sharing my friend:-))))))
3dpoetry
Amazing colours
magnus073
Fantastic photo Roxie, and I too love the vibrant colors. It was sad to hear how the heavy metals are poisoning the area, but nice to know mother nature is adapting to it.
wparrott1
Beautiful!
drifterlee
Beautiful shot. I have a friend who moved out to Colorado and loves it.
JaneEden
It never ceases to amaze me how Mother Nature adapts to such conditions. An amazing photo here Roxy, hugs Jane xx
shingleboot
I think I passed this place on my last trip to Colorado. Beautiful image
twelvemark21
Beautiful photo, great colors. Fascinating bit of info regarding the ecology of the area.
RodS
It's kind of a glimpse of one possible future for this planet.... When all of us are gone because we completely destroyed our environment with our greed and apathy... Only specialized plants and life forms that are adapted to living in these conditions will thrive. I hope it doesn't come to that. This is a great capture, Roxy. Very colorful, indeed! Things have been insanely busy here, but I'm planning on being back soon.
carlx
Excellent photography!!!
0rest4wicked
Great narrative and a sensational shot!
adorety
Excellent photo. I like the saturation, very appropriate. Nice and very interesting info too.
Sepiasiren
fascinating stuff--like nature is saying "well when humans hand you lemons..." LOL--very very beautiful shot--the colors are magnificent and the post treatment breathes life into the ironic loveliness found here...
bmac62
Fascinating is my word for this too. I get into mining country every now and then and have seen this sort of thing without realizing what and why. Super.
Ash888
That looks amazing, whould almost think the colors could not be real! Never knew of this kind of flora. Thanks for showing it here.