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.
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