Long Island Soil Microbial Biodiversity
Faculty Mentor
Karin Melkonian
Area of Research
Soil Microbiology
Major
Biology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Microbial life drives global nutrient cycles within the soil: this sparked my interest to look into these fascinating microbes that influence my very backyard.
METHOD: After taking several samples of soil from across Long Island, New York, creating soil mediums, and streaking various agar plates. Using gram staining techniques, light microscopy, and different types of nutrient agar, to observe the diversity of bacteria and fungi that were common in a majority of the sample locations.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Isolating and identifying these unknown microbes will provide insight into where they came from originally, and what role they play in overall soil ecology and biogeochemistry.
Long Island Soil Microbial Biodiversity
INTRODUCTION: Microbial life drives global nutrient cycles within the soil: this sparked my interest to look into these fascinating microbes that influence my very backyard.
METHOD: After taking several samples of soil from across Long Island, New York, creating soil mediums, and streaking various agar plates. Using gram staining techniques, light microscopy, and different types of nutrient agar, to observe the diversity of bacteria and fungi that were common in a majority of the sample locations.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Isolating and identifying these unknown microbes will provide insight into where they came from originally, and what role they play in overall soil ecology and biogeochemistry.