Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
11.22.11 Winogradsky Column Observations- Thanksgiving Edition!
11/22/11
top view: all columns dark green, bottom occlusion is darker on top (richer phototrophic layer)
control: purple patches near bottom layer (purple s development)
no green s development yet
middle occlusion: no purple patches near bottom layer (devt of purple s layer not happening) bottom layer looks gray and drab, anaerobic sediment weak or not developing
top: dirt layer rich and dark, purple patches developing well (purple s), rust layer larger than others
bottom occlusion: no rust colored layer (rest have it, what does this suggest) deep purple layer larger than rest (strong purple non s devt?), anaerobic layer covered but purple patches coming in near bottom (purple s).
Monday, November 28, 2011
11.17.11 Winogradsky column pictures/observations
Control occlusion column: has still the largest magenta color.
Top occlusion column: has dark reddish color. During the time, its layer became more clearly visible and green s bacteria developing well.
Middle occlusion column: has less reddish color than the top occlusion. Has some red bacteria’s in the mud. No more white particles.
Bottom occlusion column:has the darkest magenta-black color and well developing photosynthetic & purple non-S & S and green S bacteria.
Extra note :Giant Winogradsky Column from Barcelona museum:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
11.3.11 WInogradsky Column Pictures and Observations
Observations and analysis Week 4.
All columns appear to show intense development of both purple non-S bacteria and purple S bacteria in anaerobic water. It is hard to compare each occluded column with the control one without disturbing its environment; therefore the final conclusion will be made during the last observation, when the cardboard is taken off the bottles. Nevertheless, during the forth week besides purple bacteria intense development in each bottle, there appears to be green S bacteria underneath. There is no evidence of bubbles (Hydrogen Sulfide gas) anymore, as it has all been consumed by non-aerobic bacteria breaking organic matter down. No foul odor either. The most intense odor was during the first two-three weeks.
1. The top occluded bottle: this bottle shows better development of green S bacteria underneath the purple S bacteria than the control one. Furthermore, photosynthetic aerobic bacteria is supposed to show less growth according to our hypothesis, nonetheless it develops very well on the water surface as well as in the top layer. Less intense purple color in the middle of the bottle.
2. The middle occluded bottle: there is the same intense purple color, as in the control one. No access to see the S bacteria underneath. The top layer is well developed.
3. The bottom occluded bottle: the same development of photosynthetic bacteria on top as well as purple non-S, S bacteria, and green S bacteria. There seems to be no difference between the control bottle and this bottle.
Things to consider: our columns are located right on top of the radiator. Since the weather is getting colder, the radiator started working and heats the columns and the room. Does increase in temperature stimulates the bacterial growth?
The Gradients Explained
Much has been made on this blog of the oxygen and hydrogen sulfide and aerobic/anaerobic gradients of a Winogradsky Column. Some explanation may be necessary.
Source: Schematic view of a typical Winogradsky Column. Image credit: Jim Deacon, University of Edinburgh
This image above lays out the layers that develop in a Winogradsky Column. Our control column should develop along these lines. Our controls shoud disrupt this development nicely.
Source: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/e/jel5/biofilms/winogradsky.html (the author of the image is unfortunately not credited).
This image lays out the aerobic/anaerobic zones, a 40-60 split, respectively as well as the oxygen and hydrogen sulfide gradient. We expect a nice disruption of this gradient too. A note should also be made about the Green and and Purple Sulfur bacteria layers. They engage in a form of photosynthesis where hydrogen sulfide serves in the place of water in a typical photosynthetic reaction. More on this in a later post.
Source: Schematic view of a typical Winogradsky Column. Image credit: Jim Deacon, University of Edinburgh
This image above lays out the layers that develop in a Winogradsky Column. Our control column should develop along these lines. Our controls shoud disrupt this development nicely.
Source: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/e/jel5/biofilms/winogradsky.html (the author of the image is unfortunately not credited).
This image lays out the aerobic/anaerobic zones, a 40-60 split, respectively as well as the oxygen and hydrogen sulfide gradient. We expect a nice disruption of this gradient too. A note should also be made about the Green and and Purple Sulfur bacteria layers. They engage in a form of photosynthesis where hydrogen sulfide serves in the place of water in a typical photosynthetic reaction. More on this in a later post.
Hypothesis Analysis
1. Is it original research, and how so?
As of yet, we have not seen any Winogradsky experiments relating to light occlusion
2. What exactly is your hypothesis? Do you have a prediction?
The hypothesis is that light occlusion should have marked effects on the development of the hydrogen-sulfide/oxygen and aerobic/anaerobic gradients of the column. In particular, the top occlusion is expected to create a more abundant levels of hydrogen sulfur anearobes and sulfuric aerobes. The middle occlusion should disrupt the development of the sulfur based bacterias and non-sulfur based (purple-s bacteria, green s bacteria, and purple non-S bacteria).
The bottom occlusion will most likely not effect the development of the other layers mainly because the bottom layer does not require sunlight to develop effectively, much like the bottom of the pond at Prospect Park, the source of our dirt and water.
3. Besides gaining some knowledge, can the data collected be used to some end practically?
I think there may be a practical application to light occlusions if the top layer occlusion manages to disrupt aerobic activity effectively. One can imagine if there is a desire to increase the sulfur content of a body of water (to spur sulfuric microbial activity and ecosystem development because where there is protein, is not far behind), one can imagine the reduction of light absorption at the top layer of a freshwater pond becoming a viable method for spurring desired microbial activity. Perhaps a protein source can be provided to such a body of water which would break down into a sulfur source, the light occluded, and a desired microbial environment could be created. This light deprivation to produce desired bacteria may be useful in bacteria based environmental remediation efforts.
Monday, October 31, 2011
10.27.11 Winogradsky Column Pictures and Observations
All of the columns have developed a large, deep purple/magenta color in roughly the same section, the middle of the column. However, the control's magenta colored area is largest in size. The middle occlusion column (first photo) appears to have a darker magenta color than the rest. This may result from the middle occlusion. Is the magenta layer the beginning of the purple-non sulfur bacteria region of a fully developed column? If so, this would mean that above this layer, there are only aerobic bacteria developing. Below it sulfur bacteria and anaerobic bacteria would be developing.
Above the magenta layers, all columns appear to be developing a green moldy layer at the top (the photosynthetic layer-cyanobacteria) All of the occluded columns had bubbles when viewed from above (not pictured). The control layer does not have bubbles at the top. This suggests that all the occlusions maybe causing a greater deal of oxygen at the top of the columns. Does this mean the typical oxygen-hyrdogen sulfide gradient is becoming unbalanced?
Finally, the top occlusion column's green, moldy layer, has expanded above the occlusion. When the occlusion was originally placed, the top of the column was not visible. Unless the occlusion slipped from position ( unlikely as occlusion was securely in place when viewed on October 27th), this means that the upper layer of the column has expanded a half inch. The bacteria may be covering an expanded area above the water surface.
An issue to consider: a means to look at the winogradsky columns under the occlusion without disturbing the occlusion and being able to put it back on in the same place.
Friday, October 28, 2011
10.20.11 winogradsky column pictures/observations
middle occlusion column has white particles moving in it's cloudy water.
top occlusion column is developing well and has white particles right at the top of the mud, its water is the least cloudy one among 4 columns.
bottom occlusion column has the darkest water and almost no white particles in it.
control column's water is light-green-translucent, and white is developing very well on the mud surface.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
10/13/2011- Photographs of Winogradsky
The following photos show the four columns on the first day after they were made. They show the occlusions and are a start point for what are expected to be strong changes in the appearance of the columns over time.
Middle Occlusion (above)
Control (No Occlusion)
Bottom Occlusion
Upper Occlusion
Control (No Occlusion)
Bottom Occlusion
Saturday, October 22, 2011
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF PARTIAL LIGHT OCCLUSION ON BACTERIA DEVELOPMENT IN WINOGRADSKY COLUMNS
PROCEDURE
2. After gathering materials needed for the experiment, the pond mud layer was poured into a large plastic dish (measurement not taken).
3. 1.5-2 liters of the pond water containing a stream of bacteria was added and stirred for about 30 seconds.
4. Then the shredded pieces of the newspaper were added into the mixture of pond mud and water as the source of cellulose for the bacteria and stirred.
5. After about 30 seconds to 1 minute 6 eggs - egg shells and egg-yolks were added to the mixture as the main source of sulfur and calcium for the bacteria (egg-yolks separated from egg-whites and egg-shells), and stirred. Note: Egg-white not added into the mixture.
6. Then, after mixing the bacteria layer and food sources together, the mixture was poured into four separate columns, filled up to 0.75 liters each, and a height of about 15cm.
7. Furthermore, the columns were separated and each covered with a plastic wrap to exclude air (e.g. Oxygen) from entering. The columns were tied with rubber bands and plastic tapes to ensure proper airtight.
8. Continuing, the construction papers were rapped around each of the first three columns, indicating parts of occlusion, and leaving the fourth column (control) untouched. First one was placed at the top of column I, about a width of 1 inch, second one was placed at the middle of column II, and at about 2 inches wide, and the third one was placed at the bottom of column III, about the same width as column II. The control column left without occlusion. The three sections of occlusion showed stages of aerobic, anaerobic, and sulphur gradients of the microorganisms, as well as the control.
9. At the end of the set up the columns were placed under a Windowsill, creating natural and approximate intense source of light that will enhance photosynthesis in the habitat.
The Winogradsky columns were observed for about 7-8 weeks by monitoring and taking records of the effect(s) of occlusion, as well as the stages of development of different types of prokaryotic microorganisms ( bacteria) in the habitat.
1. A 10 liter bottle of pond water, 4 empty coca cola bottles (1 liter each), a large quantity of pond mud, eggs (egg-shells, egg-whites, and egg-yolks), newspaper (shredded), plastic wraps, rubber bands, construction papers, plastic tapes, and a ruler (in meters and inches) for measurement were brought together.
2. After gathering materials needed for the experiment, the pond mud layer was poured into a large plastic dish (measurement not taken).
3. 1.5-2 liters of the pond water containing a stream of bacteria was added and stirred for about 30 seconds.
4. Then the shredded pieces of the newspaper were added into the mixture of pond mud and water as the source of cellulose for the bacteria and stirred.
5. After about 30 seconds to 1 minute 6 eggs - egg shells and egg-yolks were added to the mixture as the main source of sulfur and calcium for the bacteria (egg-yolks separated from egg-whites and egg-shells), and stirred. Note: Egg-white not added into the mixture.
6. Then, after mixing the bacteria layer and food sources together, the mixture was poured into four separate columns, filled up to 0.75 liters each, and a height of about 15cm.
7. Furthermore, the columns were separated and each covered with a plastic wrap to exclude air (e.g. Oxygen) from entering. The columns were tied with rubber bands and plastic tapes to ensure proper airtight.
8. Continuing, the construction papers were rapped around each of the first three columns, indicating parts of occlusion, and leaving the fourth column (control) untouched. First one was placed at the top of column I, about a width of 1 inch, second one was placed at the middle of column II, and at about 2 inches wide, and the third one was placed at the bottom of column III, about the same width as column II. The control column left without occlusion. The three sections of occlusion showed stages of aerobic, anaerobic, and sulphur gradients of the microorganisms, as well as the control.
9. At the end of the set up the columns were placed under a Windowsill, creating natural and approximate intense source of light that will enhance photosynthesis in the habitat.
The Winogradsky columns were observed for about 7-8 weeks by monitoring and taking records of the effect(s) of occlusion, as well as the stages of development of different types of prokaryotic microorganisms ( bacteria) in the habitat.
The Effect of Partial Light Occlusion on Bacteria Development in Winogradsky Columns (Original Proposal)
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Department of Biology
Bio 1001 Lab
Instructor: Kwame McCartney
Laboratory Project Presentation Proposal
Due: Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Group members: 1. Adelina Bikmukhametova
2. Frank Copeli
3. Levent
4. Solomon Barrah
Presentation title: The Effect of Partial Light Occlusion on Bacteria Development in Winogradsky Columns
Location: Prospect Park Lake
Scientific relevance: The Winogradsky Column creates a diverse microorganism environment with a sulfur-oxygen gradient as well as a gradient of anaerobic and aerobic organisms . The occlusion of light on different sections of the column will illustrate the effect of light deprivation on the development of autotrophic layers and on the creation of a viable oxygen sulfur gradient.
Presentation resources: Various university websites that describe ideal Winogradsky methods and procedures. The following description of pond ecosystems is very useful.
Visual component: Posterboard describing Oxygen-hydrogen sulfide gradients, idealized winogradsky columns and experimentally observed winogradsky columns with light occlusions.
Application of scientific method: The independent variable will be the deprivation of light in certain sections of the columns. One column will be deprived of sunlight near the top of the Winogradsky column, where the aerobic microorganisms develop. Another column will be deprived of sunlight in the section where the anaerobic microorganisms develop. The dependent variables will be the development of the various microorganism layers in response to light deprivation. A control column will also be created where no sunlight deprivation will occur. The columns will all be produced using the same body of water, its soil, and identical sources of carbon and sulfur.
Take home messages: To understand the oxygen-hydrogen sulfide, aerobic/anaerobic gradient, how it is developed, and sunlight’s role in its development.
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