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Winogradsky Columns: Microbial Ecology in the Classroom

Image from the activity

Topic

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteria
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

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

This activity instructs students how to build their own Winogradsky columns, which provide visual examples of the diverse modes of metabolism in the microbial world.

A Winogradsky column is a simple device for constructing a stratified microbial ecosystem. In this activity, students set up their own Winogradsky columns using sediments collected in a nearby stream, creek, marsh, pond, bay, ocean beach, or even a backyard puddle. They add to some columns a carbon source (shredded newspaper) and/or a sulfur source (raw egg). They then observe over time the types of organisms that form in different layers based on appearance and color. In this way, students create enrichments of diverse microorganisms from their local environment to illustrate broader biogeochemical processes.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Make observations on an ongoing experiment.

  • Make inferences based on observations.

Estimated Time

Two class-periods for set-up and answering questions. Students will make observations over six to eight weeks.

Key Terms

anoxia, archaea, bacteria, concentration gradient, cycling of matter, nutrient, oxygen, photosynthesis, sulfur

Terms of Use

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

Version History

Date Published 03.05.12

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-7, HS-LS2-3, HS-LS2-5; SEP2, SEP3

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-1.H, ENE-1.K, ENE-1.N, EVO-2.B; SP2, SP3, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

2.8, 2.9, 4.3, B.1

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 1.4, 1.9
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-1.D, ENG-1.B, SP4, SP5, SP7

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.2, 2.3, 2.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC4, CC5; DP1, DP3

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Student Activity (PDF) 3 MB
Teacher Activity (PDF) 547 KB

Additional Materials

  • 4 clear, 16-oz. plastic bottles

  • 1–4 disposable containers

  • trowel for digging

  • permanent marker

  • 4 small labels

  • 1 bucket

  • digital camera or cell-phone camera

  • large measuring cup

  • shredded newspaper (or other carbon source)

  • 6–10 cups of sediment (mud)

  • raw egg yolk (or other sulfur source)

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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By: BioInteractive
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