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Winogradsky Column: Microbial Ecology in a Bottle

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Image of a Winogradsky column from the interactive

Topic

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteria
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Earth Science
  • Biogeochemical Cycles

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
37 Users
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Description

This interactive module consists of a virtual Winogradsky column, which can be used to explore the diversity of microbes, microbial metabolic strategies, and geochemical gradients found in sediments.

Winogradsky columns consist of sediment and water added to a clear container. They may also contain sources of carbon and sulfur. Naturally occurring microbes establish geochemical gradients inside the column based on their metabolic strategies.

For example, microbes in the surface layer of the sediment carry out aerobic decomposition, thus consuming oxygen. Different microbes thrive in the suboxic and anoxic layers below the surface. The resulting zones can be seen with the naked eye because of variations in the colors of the microbes and the inorganic compounds they produce.

Students can use this virtual Winogradsky column in place of a lab or to learn about the processes that might be occurring in actual columns they have made.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

aerobic, anaerobic, cyanobacteria, inorganic, microorganism, nutrient, organic, photosynthesis, redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, zonation

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 05.24.18
Date Updated 09.03.21

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.C, HS-LS2.B, HS-ESS2.A, HS-ESS2.E

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-1.A, ENE-1.I, ENE-1.O, ENE-3.D

IB Biology (2016)

2.9, 4.2, 4.3, B.1 

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 1.4, 1.9
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-1.D, ENG-1.B, SP4, SP7

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.3, 5.1

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC4

Use This Resource With

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Winogradsky Columns: Microbial Ecology in the Classroom

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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