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.
A couple of things, to add to the procedures.
ReplyDeleteWe used 6 egg yolks and shells.
The top light occlusion had a width of one inch. The middle and bottom occlusions had 2 inch wide occlusions.
The occlusions were made of black construction paper, which will absorb light radiation.
The light is from a windowsill, creating an approximate natural and moderately intense source of light.
The bottles were 1 liter in volume. We probably filled them .75 liters each with a height of 15 cm.
The columns were moved to another windowsill. They are getting light from the window and some light from a fluorescent light opposite the window.
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