Resources for Teachers
I have made a PDF document of instructions for making columns that also includes illustrations of processes that occur in the columns and suggested experiments/discussion questions. Click here to get it.
If you have questions, would like me to come out and help lead a Winogradsky project in your classroom, or have questions about a project that you have already started, please feel free to contact me.
Thomas E. Hanson Associate Professor, Marine Biosciences School of Marine Science and Policy, Department of Biological Sciences, and Delaware Biotechnology Institute Office: (302) 831-3404 e-mail: tehanson_@_udel.edu (copy, paste, and remove the underscores) Web: click here
Hi. I’ve used Winogradsky columns in my microbiology class, but have problems getting the columns clean afterwards. I’ve used glass graduated cylinders and clear polycarbonate tubing, and I get this rust-colored film that won’t scrub or bleach completely away. Any suggestions on cleaning, or should I just get new tubing? Thanks!
This actually is likely rust, amorphous iron (possibly Mn) oxides formed as a result of iron oxidizers. You should be able to remove by soaking in vinegar and scrubbing afterwards. If you want to go down a rabbit hole on cleaning have a look at this:
https://pipettejockey.com/2016/05/06/make-your-own-nucleasenucleic-acid-decontaminating-solution/
When you refer to parts, do you mean by mass or by volume?
Thank you for sharing this.
Hi David,
It is by volume and by eye. Part of the wonderful thing about these is that they do not need high accuracy or precision to still work.
Best,
Prof. Hanson