Recent Changes

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Here we can see how rich the color of the surface material is opposed to the bottom.
up decomposition. When decomposition progreses, the plant eventually sinks and ends on the bottom. Decomposition can be different here ass well. Also on the bottom along with the dead plants is waste from the fish.
{file:///Network/Servers/ds1.ames.k12.ia.us/Volumes/students/2010/508178Wil/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2009/Sep%2022,%202009/IMG_1016.jpg} {IMG_1016.jpg} {file:///Network/Servers/ds1.ames.k12.ia.us/Volumes/students/2010/508178Wil/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2009/Sep%2022,%202009/IMG_1016.jpg} This is where the nitrogen cycle can come into play that can assist in breaking down the plant matter into usuable oxygen.

What's Decompositions like on the surface and on the bottom?
There were definately some differences in the decomposition on surface and bottom plant material. Surface contained more leaves and wasnt as dark colored as material on the bottom. i think this has to do with sunlight. Sunlight is more prominent on the surface so maybe that has something to do with the color they are, sunlight appeared to have no effect on the speed of decomposition. Sunlight would also heat the surface more which would account for the strong smell that was in the surfaced plant material.
{IMG_1554.jpg}
Here we can see how rich the color of the surface material is opposed to the bottom.
{file:///Network/Servers/ds1.ames.k12.ia.us/Volumes/students/2010/508178Wil/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png} Oxygen also plays a large role in decomposition. More oxygen will allow for more bacteria to form and multiply and could therefore speed up decomposition.
{file:///Network/Servers/ds1.ames.k12.ia.us/Volumes/students/2010/508178Wil/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2009/Sep%2022,%202009/IMG_1016.jpg} {IMG_1016.jpg} {file:///Network/Servers/ds1.ames.k12.ia.us/Volumes/students/2010/508178Wil/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Modified/2009/Sep%2022,%202009/IMG_1016.jpg}

For our experiment we decided to do something simple yet would give us good results. We decided to look at moisture and see if it can slow or speed up decomp. In one of our sealed jars that had a large leaf and about an inch of water on the bottom, another was also sealed but had no water, and the third we left unsealed. We noticed the water changing color and collecting sediment, probably decomposed matter off the leaf. We didnt think much would happen in the jar with no water in it but we were wrong. The leaf apparantly still had moisture in it and a few days later there was a small amount of water in our jar along with the leaf. So through decomposition, water that was stored in the leaf was released.
Decomposition Experiment Continued...
of change. Different climate and conditions can change the process of decomposition. When applying this to my ecosystem, we took a day and looked at decayed matter in and around the pond. We looked along the bank and took samples from the bottom of the pond as well. What we saw on the bottom really wasnt that different from what we saw on the top. But on the bottom was mostly decayed algea and plant and leaves were on top.
What's Decompositions like on the surface and on the bottom?
There were definately some differences in the decomposition on surface and bottom plant material. Surface contained more leaves and wasnt as dark colored as material on the bottom. i think this has to do with sunlight. Sunlight is more prominent on the surface so maybe that has something to do with the color they are, sunlight appeared to have no effect on the speed of decomposition. Sunlight would also heat the surface more which would account for the strong smell that was in the surfaced plant material.

Where does it occur?
In what ways can we apply this to our environment and other living systems?
MyIn what ways can we change this process?
My definition: the over time. (This is my definition, not something copy pastedThese bacteria and organic matter can actually come from the animal or plant that is showed in Koke's profile).being decomposed.
----Our jar was sealed, yet still managed to show evidence of decomposition----
Decomposition Experiment
Purpose - To look at this as a means to compare and build our understandings of ecosytems and the interactions that occur among them.
of our sealed jars that the bottom, another was also sealed but had no water, and the third we left unsealed. We noticed the matter off the leaf. We didnt think much would happen in the jar with no water in it but we were wrong. The leaf apparantly still had moisture in it and a few days later there was a small amount of water in our jar along with the leaf. So through decomposition, water that was stored in the leaf was released.
Decomposition Experiment Continued...
Ive noticed that decomposition doesnt always occur from the outside, meaning there must be matter with the leaf that causes it to compose. Because in our jar that was sealed, we still saw evidence of change.

Biosphere Work Continued...
12/1 - 12/3: As we begin our biosphere construction, ive made some final conclusions about Moore Park and looking at it as a biosphere. Yesterday, we took a closer look into our biosphere when we tested dissolved oxygen levels and Ph. Part of our experiment prior to putting the shrimp in was to leave one jar open while the other sealed. The sealed jar showed a dissolved oxygen level of 8.1 while the open jar was 8.9. I looked back at my notes and saw that the dissolved oxygen level of Moore Park pond was 7.6 Dissolved oxygen dissolves into the water from two sources, the atmosphere and the plants living in it. So the sunlight that covers so much of the pond is allowing the summerged plants and vegetation to go through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis produces oxygen, so oxygen levels should be much higher. So in conclusion, it is paramount that our biospheres be in natural sunlight in order to have good oxygen levels, and overall establish a constant, stable, environment for our shrimp.
What about decomposition?
What is it?
Where does it occur?
In what ways can we apply this to our environment and other living systems?
My definition: the process that bacteria and other organic matter break down things (like food, plants and animals) over time. (This is my definition, not something copy pasted that is showed in Koke's profile).
Decomposition Experiment
Purpose - To look at this as a means to compare and build our understandings of ecosytems and the interactions that occur among them.
For our experiment we decided to do something simple yet would give us good results. We decided to look at moisture and see if it can slow or speed up decomp. In one of our jars that had a large leaf and about an inch of water on the bottom, we noticed the water changing color and collecting sediment, probably decomposed matter off the leaf. So we

My definition: the process that bacteria and other organic matter break down things (like food, plants and animals) over time. (This is my definition, not something copy pasted that is showed in Koke's profile).
Decomposition Experiment
Purpose - To look at this as a means to compare and build our understandings of ecosytems and the interactions that occur among them.
For our experiment we decided to do something simple yet would give us good results. We decided to look at moisture and see if it can slow or speed up decomp. In one of our jars that had a large leaf and about an inch of water on the bottom, we noticed the water changing color and collecting sediment, probably decomposed matter off the leaf. So we

In what ways can we apply this to our environment and other living systems?
My definition: the process that bacteria and other organic matter break down things (like food, plants and animals) over time. (This is my definition, not something copy pasted that is showed in Koke's profile).
Decomposition Experiment

Biosphere Work Continued...
As12/1 - 12/3: As we begin other sealed. The sealed jar showed a dissolved oxygen level of 8.1 while the open jar was 8.9. I looked back at my notes and saw that the dissolved oxygen level of Moore Park pond was 7.6 Dissolved oxygen dissolves into the water from two sources, the atmosphere and the plants living in it. So the sunlight that covers so much of the pond is allowing the summerged plants and vegetation to go through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis produces oxygen, so oxygen levels should be much higher. So in conclusion, it is paramount that our biospheres be in natural sunlight in order to have good oxygen levels, and overall establish a constant, stable, environment for our shrimp.
What about decomposition?
What is it?
Where does it occur?
In what ways can we apply this to our environment and other living systems?
My definition: the process that bacteria and other organic matter break down things (like food, plants and animals) over time. (This is my definition, not something copy pasted that is showed in Koke's profile).