EcoBottle Lab
DESIGN/PLANNING
Purpose: To build, observe, and monitor terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem.
Background Info/Research: To begin, the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles are each important in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. When regarding the carbon cycle, we know that carbon is the basic building block of life and it is the element that anchors all organic substances. It is transferred through photosynthesis and cellular respiration, both of which are processes used by the organisms in our Ecobottle. The carbon cycle also includes exchange, sedimentation and burial, extraction, and combustion. In our terrestrial ecosystem, the plant used photosynthesis, while our cricket lived through the process of cellular respiration.
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Unfortunately, most organisms cannot use it directly, so it must be converted to nitrate or ammonium (nitrogen fixation) by bacteria or abiotic processes. Producers can then use the nitrate and ammonium to make proteins that build up tissues which can in turn be eaten by consumers (assimilation). When these organisms die, decomposers feed on the organic material to make ammonium (ammonification). Nitrifying bacteria in the soil then turns the ammonium into nitrite and then nitrate (nitrification). Denitrifying bacteria converts the nitrate into nitrogen gas to be released into the atmosphere. In our Ecobottle, tha bacteria in our soil or water will fulfill these processes with the help of the plants (producers) and the cricket and fish (consumers). The last process involved in our lab is the hydrologic cycle. The hydrologic cycle is the transfer of water between the ocean, atmosphere, and land. In our Ecobottle, the terrestrial ecosystem will survive because the moisture from our aquatic ecosystem will rise up (precipitation) and keep the soil fertile and the plant alive. Additionally, the plant will …show more content…
The cactus is still alive.
No other major changes in terrestrial ecosystem.
Water is still clear in aquatic ecosystem.
Both fish are still alive and appear healthy.
Week 2:
Cactus is still healthy, no other changes in terrestrial ecosystem.
Water in aquatic ecosystem has remained the same.
One of our fish had a baby, now have three fish in our aquatic ecosystem.
Week 3:
Plant in terrestrial ecosystem is still colorful.
No major changes in the above ground system.
All three fish are still alive, and the water in aquatic system remained clear.
Week 4:
Cactus is still alive. And the terrestrial ecosystem appears to have remained healthy.
All three fish are dead.
The Water is murky and is giving off a sulfur-like smell.
A film has formed in the water surrounding the duckweed.
Week 5:
No notable changes in the terrestrial ecosystem.
State of the water in aquatic ecosystem has declined even more rapidly.
Elodea plant is dead. Duckweed amount has decreased.
Stronger sulfur scent in the water.
Graph 1: Ammonia Levels Over