Water Source and Plant

The following information was taken verbatim from http://botany111.blogspot.com/, thanks to the wondeful people involved in the botany 111 class.

Water Sample:
Cold Spring Creek.
Cold Spring Road.
Harman Den Exit on I 40. Haywood Co. North Carolina.
Heavy shade exposure
N 33o44.277' W083o01.135' 2087 ft 10/13/2007

Plant:
Amblystegium varium (Hedw.) Lindb.
Collection from: Natural spring.
Fountain City Park west of Broadway at Hotel Ave. Knox Co. Knoxville TN.
Partial shade exposure.
N 36o02' 15.18" W083o55' 59.95"988 ft. 10/15/2007

rotifers!

The picture is of common rotifers. The kind found in the aquarium, Diplois Daviesiae, is the last one in the column.

Today is the 2nd day observing the aquarium. The organisms have had time to settle into their locations. In fact, it was now easier to spot organisms becuase those of the same type generally can be found in the same area. So on that note, many organisms were spotted, and a few were identified.

The easiest to spot were the rotifers. They are big enough that they can be seen by the naked eye swimming around, without any assistance from a microscope. Although with further scrutiny from a microscope of the organism, the rotifer was determined to technically be of the type Diplois Daviesiae. It is a moving organism that uses flagella to move. The flagella is noticebaly located at the front of the organism and at the end. The rotifers do not move in a single direction; it is constantly changing. I noticed for the most part they hung around by the dirt at the bottom, and to me looked like they were eating masses in the dirt. Although overall they could be spotted all over the aquarium. They are large multicellular organisms, but are see through. Many rotifers were spotted in the aquarium.

Other organisms were spotted and identified, but the rotifer is most interesting. Among other organisms spotted include protozoa, paramecium, etc

Here is what the aquarium looks like. There is more dirt and sediment than appears at a quick glance. If you look through the glass stand you can see more dirt behind it.

Opening Day: October 16,2007

It is day 1 of the micro aquarium. To my aquarium, water from Tank 2 was added, along with Moss from jar A. The specific origin of the water will be announced at a later time for I do not know the exact local at the moment. Same for the moss.

Taking an initial inspecion of the aquarium under 100X on the microscope, a plethora of organisms can be seen. There is much variety in shape, size, color, functions, etc. The aquarium needs time to settle though so the organisms can settle in the area where they like best.

For now though, there is great amount of life within the aquarium