Discussion Winogradsky:

The end of the experiment left the column with many distinct layers: A light,

very textured green layer; a darker, more solid layer; a dark purple layer; a

slightly lighter purple layer; a white layer; a green-tinged water layer; and

mold growing on top.

Obligatory anaerobic bacteria at the bottom of the column such as

Clostridium break down the cellulose into its glucose bases, further breaking

them down, by means of fermentation, into ethanol and other organic

molecules. Other bacteria such as Desulfovibrio respire using these

compounds to reduce the sulfate from the eggs and cheese. These processes

quickly deplete any remaining O2 at the bottom of the column. Desulfovibrio

release Hydrogen-Sulfide as a byproduct of said sulfate reduction. This

causes a concentration gradient in the column between O 2 and H2S (Higher

O2 at top).

The Hydrogen-Sulfide is then picked up by two layers of photosynthetic

bacteria that use S as a reducer Chlorobium (Green) and Chromatium

(Purple). These floras, as mentioned before, were very successful and took

up a large portion of the column. The position of these layers (Chlorobium on

top) is determined by each Bacteriums S tolerance.

Atop these two layers, a layer of non-sulfur photosynthetic bacteria

(Rhodomicrobium) cultured. These bacteria use Ethanol (remaining from

Chlostridium) as a photosynthetic reducer.

The white layer that lies just underneath the water is called the

microaerophilic region. Even though one side is exposed to oxygen, it is very

little as O2 diffuses very slowly through water. This layer consists of bacteria

such as Beggiatoa which oxidize the remaining Hydrogen-Sulfide into Sulfuric

acid. The energy from which is then used to process other organic molecules.

In the water, Aerobic bacteria such as Algae and Cyanobacteria carry out

standard photosynthesis. Both of these processes (Aerobic Photosynthesis,

and processing of organic molecules) emit oxygen as a byproduct,

contributing to the concentration gradient.

In many experiments, there is a presumed superiority of fungus to bacteria in

the breakdown of cellulose (Hunt, Stewart, and Cole, 1986); this lead to the

rapid microbial growth in the beginning weeks. However, due to its mass, the

mold rose to the top of the water, separating it from its nutrients; this lead to

the rapid decay of the mold.