For my MicroAquarium, I chose water source 13, water from a plastic bird bath pool. Numerous animals have visited this site, so I thought it would be interesting to see what types of organisms were present. After adding the source water, I added two different plants: Amblestegium sp., a moss, from Carters Mill Park and Utricularia gibba L., a flowering carnivorous plant, originally from Spain Lake's south shore but grown in a water tank outside of Hesler Biology Building.
Upon first observation, I saw a few different organisms, each appearing to be single-celled. They were shaped like tiny dots, moved slowly, and appeared to be widespread in various areas of the tank. Another unidentified organism appeared to be brown, much bigger than the tiny dots, and undulated back-and-forth very quickly. This organism was very hard to follow! Also, Dr. McFarland peered into my microscope and noticed green algae near the bottom of the tank. The algae were flat-plated with tiny tails, some individual, and some in clusters.
Weekly observations will lead to identification of the microorganisms in my tank and an understanding of the changes and life processes of these tiny forms of life.
