1.
When planting algae slides in the ground, collect soil
core samples at the same time so that the timing is
controlled.
2.
Use microscope slides and measure 1.5 cm from end of
slide. Use a marker to indicate measurement (See Figure
3).
3.
Label flags to the corresponding site and quadrant and
choose a place with few plants and little to no
polution.
4.
Look for an area surrounded by the same plant type to
plant your slides.
5.
Use trowel to dig a hole in the ground with controlled
plant type and insert microscope slide until 1.5 cm is
above ground (See Figure 4).
6.
Do this two more times in the same area.
7.
Place labeled white flags next to algae samples and let
the slides
sit for 48 hours.
8.
To begin collecting soil core samples, label plastic bags with the
corresponding site, quadrant number, and trial (See
Figure 5).
9.
Use the soil core sampling tool by sticking it in the
ground nearby the algae slides until the first mark is
fully in the ground (15 cm tall and 2 cm in diameter).
10.
Complete each soil core sample next to each slide in the
ground.
11.
Twist clockwise to collect soil and pull out of the
ground and collect the soil in the corresponding bag.
12.
Follow the pH test procedures included in the soil test
kit for each sample collected.
13. Place
the remaining soil in each your plastic bags into half
of a jar.
14. Fill up the jar with tap
water until it is 3/4 full.
15. With a pipette take 1 mL of
soil texture chemical and put it in the jar.
16.
Shake for one minute, then let the soil
sit for 24 hours (See Figure 6).
17.
When the 24 hours have passed, use a ruler to measure
the height of clay (the lightest layer) in centimeters
(See Figure 7).
18. Use the ruler to measure the
total height of sand, silt, and clay in centimeters
(excluding the water at the top of the jar) (See Figure
7).
19. To calculate the percentage
of clay in the jars of soil, divide the height of clay
by the total height of sand, silt, and clay and multiply
that number by 100.
20.
After 48 hours, collect the algae slides from the ground
and gently rinse the dirt off with distilled water.
21.
Use two clean microscope slides and sandwich the algae
slide in between them (See Figure 8).
22.
Bind them together with rubber
bands (See Figure 9).
22.
Fill a 500 ml glass with distilled water. Separate algae
slides held together and swirl the top slide and the
middle slide in the water.
23.
Reassemble the slides and view under the microscope at
40x magnification power.
24.
Count the number of dots with a golden/greenish tint
(these are the algae) (See Figure 10).
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