A Qualitative Experiment to Analyze Microbial Activity in Topsoil Using Paper and a Handmade Reflection Photometer

Autor/inn/en	Agbeko, Julius Kofi; Kita, Masakazu
Titel	A Qualitative Experiment to Analyze Microbial Activity in Topsoil Using Paper and a Handmade Reflection Photometer
Quelle	In: Journal of Chemical Education, 84 (2007) 10, S.1689-1690 (2 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9584
Schlagwörter	Environmental Education; Secondary School Science; College Science; College Students; High School Students; Hands on Science; Qualitative Research; Environmental Research; Researchers; Laboratory Equipment; Laboratory Experiments; Laboratory Procedures; Science Instruction; Spectroscopy; Soil Science; Microbiology + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Umweltbildung; Umwelterziehung; Umweltpädagogik; Collegestudent; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Qualitative Forschung; Environmental study; Umweltforschung; Researcher; Forscher; Laborausstattung; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Laboruntersuchung; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Spektroskopie; Bodenkunde; Mikrobiologie
Abstract	This article describes a novel, hands-on method to qualitatively determine the extent of microbial activity in topsoil using ordinary blank paper. Appropriate and scalable for the high school and college level, these experiments expose students to some of the challenges facing environmental researchers and also contribute to curriculum development of soil topics for environmental education. Through experimentation, students discover that paper containing high amounts of starch can be used to determine the degree of microbial activity in topsoil. After the application of soil solution eluent to paper, the paper is allowed to dry. Students react the paper with a KI + I[subscript 2] solution, and a deep blue coloration results that diminishes over time. Using the principles of complementary color combinations and a simple, handmade, cadmium sulfide-light emitting diode (CdS-LED) reflection photometer, the color can be measured and the extent of microbial activity established. (Contains 2 figures.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1267, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-1267. Tel: 800-691-9846; Tel: 856-931-5825; Fax: 856-931-4115; e-mail: jchemed@egpp.com; Web site: http://www.jce.divched.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10