Soil Microbial Ecology - Soil Molecular Ecology Laboratory

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METHOD
This will be a demonstration.
1. Obtain a clear container and label your initial, date, and soil type.
2. Place about 200 ml compost soils (Agriculture or Forest soil) to a mixing
container.
3. Add pond water and stir until it is about the consistency of applesauce.
4. Add 5-g grass cutting for the Agriculture soil and 5-g pine needle cutting for the
Forest soil as a carbon source (carbon source in the form of cellulose).
5. Add equal amount of calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate and mix until the
mixture become drier (source of carbon and sulfur).
6. Pour or spoon this mixture into the Decomposition Chamber to approximately 3-4
cm in depth.
7. Mix it well with a spoon or stirring rod to remove any air pockets.
8. Add plain Agriculture or Forest soil to the respective chamber until the depth of
the soil mixture reaches between 6 and 8 cm. DO NOT STIR!
9. Add pond water, leaving about 4 cm of headspace.
10. Insert a thermometer into the soil and record the starting temperature___ °C
11. The soil column in each Decomposition Chamber should be covered with
aluminum foil, seal with parafilm, and placed next to window.
12. Create data sheet for weekly observations and discussion of the developed soil
layers.