Conclusion

A) Our terrestrial layer did better than our others. The grass grew taller than most of the other groups columns and are flies not only lived, but mated and grew in population. We cannot say as much for are decomposition pile however. We did have a spider in this column for the first few days, but he escaped on the first day and, fearing for our lives, Krista brutally stomped on him until he was no more and we placed his body back in the chamber. The aquarium was the most unfortunate. Our dear fish lived much longer than we thought he would, however are Nitrate and Ammonia levels were to high/low (2.81 an 1), as well as other factors like to low DO and high turbidity ended up killing are fish.
B) Abiotic factors in our column were:
Aquarium pebbles: they held the bacteria that helped are fish live longer
Soil: it got less moist and developed condensation because it didn’t have acess to water and when the remaining water did began to evaporate it stuck to the plastic wall.
Compost: it began to decompose and lose moisture because bacteria was eating away at it.
Plastic: Nothing changed
Water: Became more and more clouded and raised in bacteria levels. When the fish died and began to decompose, a fowl stench and layer of an unidentified goo formed.
Coffee filter: was almost completely decomposed along with the compost.
C) The water from the terrestrial column seeped into the decomposition column and helped speed up the composting process. The bacteria and elements from the decomposition column seeped into the aquarium and helped pollute are water, killing are beloved fish faster.
D) We are comparing to Jeremys group. There fish died 3 days after transfer because of to high test results. They say there proud of how well there “plant” did. All in, I think are column did better than theirs, mainly because are fish livid at least 9 days after transfer and are test results where more or less normal longer than theirs. The factors that seem most important are making sure to keep the columns far enough apart and that you feed your fish.
E) If we could do it over, we would have kept the fish in the big tank longer so that are aquarium pebbles could have more time to absorb bacteria to clean the tank.
Some of the most important things we learned from this project would be; don’t overfeed your fish, and the earth has a variety of different variables that make life possible and if you take one away or mess one up, byebye life.
F)We did have problems with the data when, one day, the Nitrate level was off the charts and we couldn’t figure out why. Also, some of the testing material was off and we couldn’t get accurate information one day. As for unexpected observations, we didn’t have any except for finding are fish dead. We didn’t make any modifications except for adding a trap door in the aquarium and decomposition columns. This may have affected are experiment because it allowed accesses to more O2 and other elements that it didn’t have access to before.

Summary Chart

Observations for 6/8/2010

Fish died about 4 days ago TT.TT. Water is very green. Grass is almost growing underneath the cracks in the column. Decomposition almost looks like a chunky mud. Condensation all over the walls. An unidentified goo has formed over the water. It is colorless but is very stinky. The fish corpse was also covered in this goo. TONS of flies.

Observations for 5/25/2010

Fish is still alive and kicking. The water has taken on a slightly green hugh. The grass has grown at least an inch since last time, and the decomposition is looking the same. There would appear to be more flies, however it is slightly hard to tell. The ammonia levels have risen, we're a little concerned. Turbidity has also greatly increased... And oxygen levels are dropping. We're concerned for D'Rhal's wellbeing.

Quntitative Data Graph

Quantitative Data

Watering Patterns

Observations for 5/18/2010

Mr. Hanson claims that the quality of our water is very good. D'Rhal was a happy little camper and he swam merrily about his aquarium. Our grass was growing well and there was a great deal of condensation clinging to the plastic in out terrestrial layer. There were some fruit flies in there as well that were buzzing about in our column. There wasn't much of a visible difference in the so far apperance of the decomposing material. Overal, looking like we're doing a good job with our aquarium.

5/27 D'Rhal dies... =,(

I know it's late to post, but on the morning of May 27th, 2010, we found D'Rhal to be dead. Sadly, at the time, we did not have the opportunity to mourn his loss, as we were taking a very important test at school. It was not until the 8th of June that we were actually able to take care of his remains. Though he is gone, we know that his death was not without purpose. D'Rhal died in the name of Science and the experiment must go on(even though it's over now...).

Procedure

1. Cut bottles according to diagram.

2. Using the Heated needle, poke about 4 holes in each bottle cap.

3. Fill each of the tiers with their respective materials ( the lowest with the pebbles, aquatic plant, water and fish. the middle with the material to be decomposed, worm and perhaps a spider included. In the uppermost tier, include the soil and grass seed)

4. Construct the eco column according to the diagram and include "doors" to open and feed your fish and to perform tests on the water. The string is used to pull the doors open.

5. Tape all of the peices together to ensure that water will not leak out and that fruit flies cannot get in. this will also make it much easier to carry, although I doubt you'd be taking it many places.

6. With the eco column completed, you need to feed the fish and every 2 days or so

7. Test the water for temperature, pH, DO, Turbidity, Nitrate and Ammonium levels about once a week.

8. After testing, add about the same amount of water that you took back into the ecosystem to water your plants and refill your aquarium. Pour the water into the opening at the top. It will reach your fish eventually.

Materials

Four 2-liter, clear, plastic bottles with caps
Grass Seeds
Decomposition material (spider, ferns, leaves, etc.)
Soil
2/3 liter H2O
Aquarium Gravel
Clear Packing Tape
String
1 Goldfish
Fishfood
Aquatic plant
Coffee filters, two
Razor blade
scissors
heated needle

Purpose

II. Purpose:

The purpose is to create three ecosystems in one column and monitor each of the factors that keep the system alive. We'd also like to be able to keep our fish alive long enough to be able to take it home.

Testing

To keep track of the health of our ecosystem, we will be measuring:

Turbidity
Temperature
pH
Nitrates
Ammonia
Dissolved Oxygen

Introduction

I. Introduction:


The 3-tiered Eco-column is designed to simulate an environment where creatures live. It is a controlled system which we have created in order to attempt to keep a fish, D'Rhal, alive. We have basically 3 layers on our column, not counting the uppermost tier which is used only to regulate the amount of water that is allowed in. In the 2nd tier we have a terrestrial layer which contains a layer of soil and hopefully soon, a good amount of grass growth. The 3rd tier will be used as a decomposition layer. In it we have some soil, dead leaves and grass clippings. The only living creature is, hopefully, a worm who will help speed up the decomposition process. Finally, in our lowest tier we have D'Rhal, the fish. In his little aquatic environment we've included pebbles at the bottom which have hopefully accumulated enough bacteria to help clean D'Rhal's water to ensure his survival. There is also an aquatic plant with D'Rhal to provide him with oxygen and to take away the carbon dioxide that D'Rhal breathes out. And, of course, there is the fish. Thus is our aquarium layer and the completed eco-column.


What we're trying to get out of doing this project is to learn how the natural filtering system works in an actual ecosystem. We didn't use a hypothesis for this project because it's not exactly an expirament, but a study of life. At the end of our project we expect our grass to be grown very tall, probably filling the entire tier it's on. I don't expect the decomp layer to be greatly changed. If anything, it'll start to look more like soil. And we're hoping not to have a dead fish but's a possibility, in some somewhat cloudy water.