First Step

After reading about the different water sources, I chose the water from the pond at the University of Tennessee Hospital on Cherokee Trail in Knox County to begin my microaquarium project. It is a storm sewage sediment pond and receives full exposure to the sun. I first selected soil and water from the bottom of the container, followed by water from just above the sediment, water from the middle, water just above middle, and finally water from the surface. I then placed 2 plants (A and B) in the microaquarium. Upon initial examination with the naked eye, I did not see any organisms. After placing the aquarium on the microscope, I discovered one organism that was transparent and round, and it was feasting on one of my plants. It moved about very rapidly and eventually disappeared in the sediment at the bottom of the tank.

Water Source- Pond at University of Tennessee Hospital. Cherokee Trail. Knox Co. Knoxville TN Full sun exposure. Storm sewer sediment pond N35 56.305 W83 56.717 850 ft 10/9/2011 Chara sp. Green alga in Family Characeae.

Plant A. Amblestegium sp. Moss. Collection from: Natural spring. at Carters Mill Park, Carter Mill Road, Knox Co. TN. Partial shade exposure. N36 01.168 W83 42.832. 10/9/2011

Plant B. Utricularia gibba L. Flowering plant. A carnivous plant. Original material from south shore of Spain Lake (N 35o55 12.35" W088o20' 47.00), Camp Bella Air Rd. East of Sparta Tn. in White Co. and grown in water tanks outside of greenhouse at Hesler Biology Building. The University of Tennessee. Knox Co. Knoxville TN