10.27.11 Winogradsky Column Pictures and Observations

Observations and Analysis:

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.

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.

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

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF PARTIAL LIGHT OCCLUSION ON BACTERIA DEVELOPMENT IN WINOGRADSKY COLUMNS

PROCEDURE

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.

 http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Pond_water

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.