WINOGRADSKY COLUMN: ECOSYSTEM IN A BOTTLE

Bacteria and Archaea are the most diverse and numerous organisms on Earth. They are also considered
to be the most ancient forms of life. The two major groups of bacteria exhibit various types of metabolic
mechanismsoxygenic and anoxygenic photoautotrophy, chemoautotrophy, and photoheterotrophy.
They also play an important role in cycling elements (HHMI, 2012).
In this activity, students will be able to:
1. design and/or create their own layers of ecosystem in a bottle (Winogradsky column) taking
into consideration the biotic and abiotic factors
2. explain the roles of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem
3. discuss the effects of changes in the abiotic factors on an ecosystem

Materials
Clear plastic bottles
Trowel for digging sediment samples
Water
Bucket or any large container
Plastic cups
Funnel
Labeling tape
Plastic wrap

plastic disposable containers

permanent marker
shredded newspaper
eggs
large mixing spoon
graduated cylinder
sediment sample
rubber bands

Procedure:
1. Students will be grouped into four (4). Each group will have two plastic disposable containers.
2. Depending on the components selected, the container may be labeled one of the following:
a. control column: sediment + water
b. shredded newspaper (SN) column: sediment +water + shredded newspaper
c. egg yolk (EY) column: sediment + water + egg yolk
d. SN + EY column: sediment + water + SN + EY
3. Add 1.5 cups of sediment into plastic disposable containers.
a. For the control column:
Mix the sediment sample thoroughly. Make sure to remove any large debris such as
leaves, rocks or sticks. Slowly mix in water (either the water you collected or tap water)
until the mixture has the consistency of a milk shake.

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b. For the SN column:

Add cup of shredded newspaper (loosely packed) to the sediment and mix with a
mixing spoon or trowel.
c. For the EY column:
Add the yolk of an egg (raw is best) to the sediment in the container labeled EY and
mix with a mixing spoon or trowel. If using hard-boiled eggs, crumble the yolks.
d. For the SN + EY column:
Add both nutrients as described in steps b and c.
4. Mix the sediment sample thoroughly. Make sure to remove any large debris such as leaves, rocks or
sticks. Slowly mix in water (either the water you collected or tap water) until the mixture has the
consistency of a milk shake.
5. Using a large spoon, slowly add approximately 1 cup of the mixture to the appropriately labeled
plastic column (bottle). You may wish to use a funnel to add the sediment mixture. As you add
the sample, tap the column on a counter or table to release any trapped air in the column. The
sediment should fill to of the column.
6. Add water from the sediment collection source (or tap water) on top of the sediment until there is a
2-cm layer of water on the surface. (There should be air at the top of the column.)
7. Place the lid on each column and turn the lid a turn. DO NOT tighten the lid! If you cut the bottle
top, place plastic wrap over your column and hold the wrap in place with a rubber band.
8. Place all four columns in a well-lit space such as a windowsill.
9. Using a camera or phone, take a photograph of the columns to document week 0 of the experiment.
Take weekly photographs of the columns. Each column will be observed for up to 8 weeks.
Guide Questions
1. What are the materials you included in your column?
2. Which of the materials are living?
3. Which of the materials are non-living?
4. Will the columns produce similar layers and/or population of microbes? Why or why not?
*5. How many colors/layers did you observe each week?
*6. What do these colors/layers indicate?
*7. How do these layers form?
Reference:
Howard Hughes Medical Institute. (2012). Winogradsky Column. Available from:
biointeractive@hhmi.org.

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