Olivia Zollinger

Mrs. Page

Biology

4/13/17

Lab Report

Over the past couple of weeks, we have created and observed an eco-column. This eco-

column’s purpose was to replicate all major cycles of the outside world in one observable object.

The eco-column represented the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and the nitrogen cycle. The eco-

column was a closed system and did not interact with the outside world.

The first graph is showing the temperature of the terrestrial, aquatic, and decomposition.

The temperature barely changes and stays at room temperature. This is because there were

holes in the chambers that let the room air come in. The temperature stayed at around 22°C the

whole experiment.

Over the course of the time we observed the eco-column, the nitrate level increased

from a 5 to a 20 in the decomposition chamber. Nitrate level increased due to the bacteria in the

decomposition chamber. Our decomposition chamber had a massive amount of bacteria caused

by rotting fruits, plants, and moisture. At first plants enjoy the nitrates and more algae will grow,

but if there is too much it has a negative impact. The runoff from the decomposition chamber

caused the aquatic chamber to be filled with algae and turn green. When the nitrate level kept

increasing it had a negative impact by killing our fish.

The pH levels in our eco-column didn’t change a lot. This is likely due to plants in our

eco-column managing the carbon levels. Our pH levels only varied by small numbers for

example our first pH level for the aquatic was 7.17 and our last pH level was 7.77. Our eco-

column was very basic.

The odors in our eco-column started out manageable at a smell rank of 4/10, but by the

end of the experiment it was almost impossible for me to stand near it without gagging at a
whopping 10/10. The scents mainly came from the decomposition chamber where rotting apples

and lots of moisture resides. Plenty of bacteria accumulated in the decomposition chamber

which also ran-off into the aquatic chamber causing that to smell like death as well.

Throughout this experiment, I learned more about how things affect other things. I never

thought about carbon levels or nitrate levels, let alone how they could affect the life of my plants

and animals.