Question

2. What would you predict would be the difference in Winogradsky columns made with tap water vs. pond water? What if we did not add the shredded newspaper?

Answer 1

2. The Winogradsky columns made with tap waters will not show clear gardients as the growth of the microbes will be restricted in this column as compared to the pond water column. The tap water contains chlorine, and it can inhibit the growth of the microbes damaging the cell walls of most of these microorganisms. However, the pond water contains no such element which can hinder the growth of the microorganisms and hence, the gradients will be clearly visible in th epond water column.

If the shredded newspaper is not added, then there will be no carbon source available for the growth of the microbes and this will affect microbial population present in the column as only a limited amount od carbon already present in the water can be used and recycled. This will limit the number of microbes in the columns.