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 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…
