Cardwell Spa Pool
Cardwell Spa Pool is a special and unique place to visit due to the turquiose blue colour of the water, a phenomenen that is rare to see in Australia! Come and visit this stunning location, I recommend you bring your swimmers as it is a beaufitul place to relax and go for a swim!
Is the water blue?
Scientist believe that the turquiose blue water is caused by three natural processes interacting together in the water:
- Microscopic Plants (phytoplankton) in the water using dissolved bicarbonates for photosynthesis produce insoluble carbonate minerals as a by-product.
- These carbonates bind to tiny clay particles suspended in the water column, causing them to become coated in more reflective and shiny minerals such as calcite and aragonite; this compostie matierial is known as 'marl'
- Marl not only reflects light, it also refracts it - causing colour changes (the same process by which water droplets create a rainbow when light passes through them). Light reflecting and refracting from the marl, in combination with the colour of the phytoplankton, is thought to be what gives the water it's distinctive colouration. This is a completely natural process and conditions must be just right to witness the stunning turquiose blue water here.
To log a find on this earthcache you must answer the following questions to be sent via message:
Listed Coordinates:
1. Describe, in your own words, as descriptively and creatively as possible, the colour of the water in the spa / waterhole at the time you visited.
2. What composite material causes this unique colour? What is this made of?
3. Is the spa man-made or natural, describe the rock that makes up the edges of the spa to help come to a conclusion
4. Take a photo from the posted co-ordinates (preferably on the stump in the pool!) of yourself OR a personal item with the waterhole behind you and upload this to your online log
Please MESSAGE your answers to me using the the link at the top of the page underneath the name of the cache.
This method is preferred and I will reply promptly upon recieving your message. Otherwise an email is OK too!
Feel free to log your "Found It!" in the meantime, if any problems occur I will let you know
Most importantly thouugh, have fun and enjoy the Cardwell Spa Pools 