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Life in the MicroAquarium has spread away from the Plant B bulbs, yet there are many pieces of decaying plant. Around a certain piece of decaying matter hosts hundreds of protizoa. I assume that this particular clump contains many of the necessary nutrients for bacteria and micro-organisms. There is still limited life around Plant A. However, air bubbles have been trapped within the plant showing that it may still be producing oxygen.
Throughout the MicroAquarium are hundreds of rod-like diatoms (thought to be Thalassionema nitzschoides) and a few scattered rectangu
lar diatoms. There are also A LOT of large, stranded colonies in the bottom sediment. I assume it to be composed of either bacteria or diatoms, but they are too small to tell at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to gather further information as they grow. Protizoa are also feeding off the decaying matter in the bottom sediment. Within the groups of bacteria, there seem to be a lot of Tachysoma (one of which is posted). The contractile vacuole, which gives it its pulsing motion, is visible.
Overall, there is still not much life, only increasing amounts of decaying matter. Hopefully, an increase in the decay will cause in increase in life. . . but we can only hope.
This week, we set up our MicroAquariums. The water source utilized was from source 4 (see below information). I also used both plant A and B.
4. Holston River along John Sevier Hwy under I 40 Bridge Partial shade exposure Holston River water Shed N36 00.527 W83 49.549 823 ft 10/11/2009Plant A . Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/11/2009Plant B. Utricularia vulgaris L. Flowering
Plant B . carnivous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.
As I peered into my aquarium, I could not help but to flatter myself: I have given these poor microorganisms a home. No longer will they have to suffer through the toils and troubles of the outside world, to which they are not accustom. The majority of Microville is rod-like diatoms and protisoa. There are also a few rotifers. I have designated this geographic area a downtown: Plant B. The most organisms are on the bulbs of Plant B. And as we all know, a downtown has to have a town hall. In Mircoville Town Hall (Plant A) sits Mayor Nematode. Plant A is also home to many rhizoids. They look like roots, but they are scattered all over the moss (I'm not sure what the mayor has planned for these rhizoids yet, but I'm sure he has something good up his hypodermis. As I thought would be the case, most of the life and activity is around the plants. There is not much action in the bottom sediment except for a few rod-like diatoms here and there. I'm hoping that this will sprout into a great tourism spot for Microville because they are having a rough time in this economy.
lar diatoms. There are also A LOT of large, stranded colonies in the bottom sediment. I assume it to be composed of either bacteria or diatoms, but they are too small to tell at the moment. Hopefully I will be able to gather further information as they grow. Protizoa are also feeding off the decaying matter in the bottom sediment. Within the groups of bacteria, there seem to be a lot of Tachysoma (one of which is posted). The contractile vacuole, which gives it its pulsing motion, is visible.