Geochemistry & Ecology of Red Mat Systems (GERMS)

Undergraduate Summer Research Program

 

Week One – Practice

 

Elizabeth Jacobsmuhlen

 

Representative Water Analysis:

Introduction:

This week was designed to practice the methods to be performed in the field (Yellowstone).  These methods included water collection and chemistry as well as pigment and microscope analysis of previously collected microbial mat samples.  I used the red layer for this week’s analysis.

 

Site Documentation:

Water collection from the Luckiamute  River at Sarah Helmick State Park in Monmouth, Oregon.

Test for pH and water temperature

of Luciamute River:

pH = 5.5

Temp = 17.5oC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Chemical Test Methods and Results (AccuVac):

Methods:                                             

Colormeter- DR1880 was set to the program number appropriate for the chemical test being performed.  AccuVac (AV) systems were used for the appropriate chemistry test that was performed, these tests and results are listed below.

 

 

Results:

 

Total Chlorine (mg/L)

0.01

Chromium (mg/L)

0.01

Molybdenum (mg/L)

0.00

Nitrate (mg/L)

0.9

Nitrite (mg/L)

0.010

Sulfate (mg/L)

0.00

Sulfide (mg/L)

0.01

 

Representative Pigment and Microscopic Analysis:

Methods:

 

Red layer sample was weighed out to be approximately .1 g.

Methanol – after supernatant had been removed and disposed of, the cells were resuspended with 1 mL of methanol.

 

 

 

Results:

Pigment Analysis of Red Layer Sample (Practice):

Type of Method Used

Low Abs. (nm)

High Abs. (nm)

Red-In Vivo

743.0

805.0

Red-Methanol

666.0

768.0

 

Image – Visible Light

10X

40X

 

Image – F Fluorescence

10X

40X

 

Image – R Fluorescence

10X

40X

 

 

 

Discussion:

            According to the common bacteriochlorophyll absorption properties table provided in week one protocols the pigment analysis data supports that the organisms present in the red layer sample previously collected were Green Sulfur Bacteria, Green Nonsulfur Bacteria, and Purple/Proteobacteria.  As shown in the microscopy pictures above chlorophylls associated with oxygenic phototrophs fluoresce in both F and R; Green bacterio-chlorophylls associated with some anoxygenics fluoresce slightly in R, not in F; and Red bacteriochlorophylls associated with some anoxigenics do not fluoresce in F or R.