A Yellowstone National Park visitor's walk through Black Sand Basin took a frustrating turn when they spotted a family blatantly disregarding the park's most basic safety and preservation regulations.

Highlighting the incident in a Reddit post, the visitor described seeing a family disrupting the collection of delicate geothermal hot springs. According to the post, the family was touching the area's bacterial mats, stepping off the designated walkway to pick flowers, and throwing the flowers into the hot springs. These pools hover between 135-175 degrees Fahrenheit with water so acidic it can burn holes in clothing.

"Did you not see the sign with a child being scalded at the start of the loop?" the visitor wrote, adding, "It's honestly so mind-boggling to me."

A wondrous natural phenomenon, bacterial mats are made of trillions of microscopic organisms called thermophiles. These delicate organisms cluster together in vibrant masses of yellow, orange, red, brown, and green. And they are sustained by geothermal energy and chemical compounds found in these highly acidic, near-boiling thermal features.

While incredibly beautiful, the National Park Service warns that Black Sand Basin is a "dangerous place" for this reason. Stepping even a few inches off a designated boardwalk can put visitors at risk of standing on thin crust, which may collapse into scalding water. The National Park Service reports more than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone's hot springs.

But it isn't only visitor safety at stake when people disrupt these thermal features. The bacterial ecosystem itself is extremely vulnerable. The thermophiles that give these pools their vibrant colors can be damaged by something as small as a single touch or debris thrown into the water. When these microorganisms are disturbed, the delicate balance of temperature and chemistry they rely on can shift — sometimes permanently. In fact, the famous Morning Glory Pool has shifted from a bright blue hue to a yellow-green color over the years due to human interference.

"It is OK to politely remind them to not touch the nature," one commenter wrote.

"I did on the way out," the visitor noted.

But negligent visitors shouldn't need other visitors to correct their bad behavior. The National Park Service clearly warns that staying on the boardwalks and designated trails at Black Sand Basin is essential, as the geothermal hot springs can cause severe — even fatal — burns. The organization also cautions against touching or scratching the bacterial mats to prevent damage to the natural wonders. 

By following these guidelines and respecting the environment, visitors can help ensure that Black Sand Basin remains undisturbed for future generations to experience.

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