Observation Week One

On my first official observation after set up not much had changed.  I discovered that the ciliated protozoa were just various diatoms.  Many were a lime green or brown color.  Their shapes varying from spherical to oblong.  Most of the diatoms were found on the soil level.  No movement was recorded from mid to upper water level.  The plants themselves appear unchanged as well.  

Set up of MicroAquarium and First Observations

  On October 15th, I set up my MicroAqurium for Botany 111. To do so we assembled the stand, glass tank, and lid.  After labeling our tank with our initials, we selected a water source. I chose source ten which was a water pool below a spring. The exact location and information for the water is Lynnhurst Cemetery off of Adair Drive. Knox Co. Knoxville TN. Partial shade exposure Spring Feed Pond N36 01.357 W83 55.731 958 ft 10/9/2011. I extracted water from the sample with a pipette, ensuring that I acquired some sediment and surface water for an accurate representation of the natural life.
  After the tank was 3/4 of the way full I added my plant life which was a small strand of Utricularia gibba which is a flowering carnivorous plant taken 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 then grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN. 10/13/2013. I also added small amounts of Amblestegium varium (Hedwig) Lindberg which is a moss from Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/13/2013.
  After my plants were added, I had the opportunity to observe my MicroAquarium under a microscope. I found many organisms resembling diatoms and algea.  I am not positive of the exact species of either because I have not had a chance to observe under a stronger microscope yet.  There may also be some flagellates or ciliated protozoa, but there is no confirmation of that yet.  Hopefully a later observation will be able to clarify my findings.