Winogradsky update March 30th, 2009

March 29, 2009 Winogradsky column update!
The most obvious distinction in this update is that each column is exhibiting differences from each other, and remember, their uniqueness involved in column 1: powdered sulfur and powdered cellulose vs. column 2: egg yolk, shells, baking powder, and torn newspaper.
Column 1 description: numerous water critters swimming about, along with hair worms (less this time compared to the last update). Very little gas bubble action surfacing, however I can see numerous ones within the bottom 2/3’s of the container… oops one big gas bubble just surfaced and disrupted the surface dramatically. There is a slight yellow/green cast to the upper 1/3 of the container which I am attributing to the growth of algae and other aerobic phototrophs. Except for the obvious colors in the water portion, I do not see any other distinctive layers. No obvious smells emanating, even when I lifted the aluminum foil off.
Column 2 description: Looks like the newspaper is breaking down and meshing with the soil portion of the container. The upper 1/3 is taking on a purple cast which is surprising because I thought the purple would be seen in the anaerobic depths. Also this portion is difficult to see through due to the amount of bacteria living along the glass container. I can see some of this purple bacteria beneath the surface as well. When removing the aluminum from the top there is an obvious “plug” of slime at the top. No smell whatsoever. Gas bubbles rising periodically.
I continue to look for major zones in particular: the aerobic zone, in which O2 will diffuse in and out of the surface layer; the oxidized zone, consisting of nitrates, nitrites, sulfates, and oxidized iron; the reducing zone, consisting of ammonium, sulfide, and reduced iron. Once these show up I will be ecstatic!
Here is a picture of the columns as of now…

The developing world of the Winogradsky column.

February 25 update
It is approximately three weeks since I set up the mysterious Winogradsky columns on a basement counter, facing south, but out of direct sunlight. The room temperature is kept at 65 degrees, however it gets warmer when the sun is shining through the window. I have a habit of sneaking a peek at them on a daily basis hoping for - colors to appear, smells to emanate, movement of some sort, but please no sounds to arise from the glass menagerie.
Column Number 1:
So far, I am able to watch gas bubbles (rather large ones) rising from the depths of the life source, I am not sure if these are CO2, methane, nitrogen or...? Not quite sure how to know at this point and really at any point.
I am not seeing any color changes in the depths of the life source at this point.
There is also algae growing along the sides of the upper 1/3 of the cylinder. There doesn't appear to be any difference from the side of the column facing the window and the far side of the column away from the window.
Most excitingly there is a LOT of life living in the upper 1/3 which is obviously the part I can view. There are numerous worms, these may be hair worms which are exceedingly thin, pink and wiggly. One of the worms is approximately three inches long. The others are approximately 1/4 inch and very lively. There are also hundreds of little white motile microorganisms unknown to me swimming hither and thither. When one of the bubbles floats to the top, there begins a whole hubbub of movement amongst the microorganisms.
Thank goodness there are no sounds! As far as smells, I can't smell anything, nor have I lifted the aluminum foil off of the top.
Something has to be right in here because there appears to be a lot of living going on.
Column 2:
This column sits right next to the first one on the counter.
I find it quite interesting that there is no visible movement.
However, the algae is definitely growing on the side opposite of that which faces the window. I may have to move the column farther from the light as this may be affecting the column's content.
Approximately every minute there is a very tiny, well now there was a gigantic one, bubble that flies up to the surface.
No difference in the lower layers as to obvious color changes. No sounds (phew).
No smell.
Even though there isn't as much action in this column, I have a sneaking position that the microbes are bustling about in the depths of the column.
Note: Today I will move both columns a little further back from the window, to avoid any direct sunlight.

What's a Winogradsky Column?

Imagine life in a jar! AUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
Well, if you were a microbe it would be just right!
For scientific background related to this subject, just go to Wikepedia and type in Winogradsky Column.
But in the meantime, here is how I set one up....
Winogradsky Column
Constructed 2/2/2009

After visiting numerous sites pertaining to Winogradsky Columns, ie., (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winogradsky_column), I realized that there are no steadfast directions on how to construct one. So I jumped in and gathered the following materials:
- one 250 ml graduated glass cylinder
- one glass tube with a dimension of 12 inches tall by 1 inch in diameter
- muddy life source from the bottom of a duck pond by our house
- water from the same duck pond
- ½ yolk from a boiled egg
- ½ eggshells from the same boiled egg,
- a pinch of baking soda (Arm and Hammer)
- powdered cellulose
- powdered sodium sulfate
- shredded newspaper, ~ one half page
- square of aluminum foil to cover securely
- window with southern exposure, placed out of direct sunlight

For the first set- up, I took the muddy life source + ½ yolk + ½ egg shells + pinch of baking soda + shredded newspaper and gently mixed them together. With a funnel I scooped some of the muddy life source into the bottom 1/3 of the graduated cylinder. With a thin wire I tamped it down to remove as many air bubbles as possible. I proceeded to add the pond water to ~ one inch from the top of the cylinder. Covered with aluminum foil and placed on the counter out of direct sunlight.
For the second container I added the muddy life source + a pinch of cellulose, a pinch of sodium sulfate and gently mixed them together. Then I repeated the exact procedure as stated above.