We prepared
the Winogradsky column a week before from today, so we pick off it and we
notice some changes.
We can
appreciate that the column has divided in three parts, resulting an
aerobic/anaerobic gradient. Different microorganisms grow up because of this
gradient.
- At the top of the column we can see that some algae have grown in the water. Nevertheless, they aren’t too much. These algae are aerobic microorganism, which are able to do photosynthesis. The photosynthesis is a process conducted by plants and some microorganisms in which they use the solar energy and carbon dioxide in order to transform the inorganic matter, that comes from the bottom of the column, into organic matter and oxygen.
- In the middle of the column we notice that appears a dark brown colour with some red highlights. These highlights indicate the presence of purple non-sulfur bacteria in this part of the column.
- Finally, at the bottom of the column we can appreciate a black colour. In this part there are anaerobic microorganisms that degrade the organic matter into carbon dioxide, which will be used by the aerobic microorganism at the top of the column.
Do you have any pictures? How does your column compare with the one in the dark?
ReplyDeleteAerobic microorganisms use CO2 in what way? Can you be more specific?