Ecosphere

Background Information on Organisms

ALGAE

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that occur in most habitats, ranging

from marine and freshwater to desert sands and from hot boiling springs in
snow and ice. Algae vary from very small, single-celled forms to complex
multi-cellular forms, such as the giant kelps of the eastern Pacific that grow
to more than 60 meters in length and form dense marine forests. Algae
generally do not have vascular tissue, and they do not show the high level
of organ differentiation of more complex plants.

The algae in the sphere are a type of green algae which are classified in the
plant kingdom. They are photoautotrophic, which means that they make
Their own food materials through photosynthesis by using sunlight, water and
carbon dioxide. They also require other nutrients for growth and survival such as nitrogen (NOx) and phosphorus (POx). In common
with all plants, green algae contain chlorophyll-a, as well as various other photosynthetic pigments. Most green algae can be
represented by the chemical formula C106H263O110N16P.

BRINE SHRIMP The brine shrimp, Artemia, belongs to the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustacea. There are
several species of Artemia worldwide. Brine shrimp live in salt water. They start their lives as
tiny eggs or cysts. As adults brine shrimp get all of their nutrients by feeding on algae. Brine
shrimp excrete their solid waste in the form of ammonia (NH3).

Adult Artemia average about 8mm long, but can reach lengths up to 20 mm. Adults can
o o
tolerate brief exposures to temperatures as extreme as 0 to 104 F.

BACTERIA
Bacteria consist of only one cell, but are an amazingly complex and fascinating group of organisms. Bacteria are neither plants nor
animals, but belong to the Domain Prokaryotes. Two different types of bacteria are found in the ecosphere; heterotrophic and
nitrifying bacteria. Both types of bacteria are largely non-motile and must colonize a surface (gravel, sand, etc.) for optimum
growth. They secrete a sticky slime matrix which they use to attach themselves.

Heterotrophic Bacteria
Heterotrophic bacteria require an organic carbon source for growth; i.e. derive energy and carbon from organic compounds. They
generally obtain their nutrients and energy from decomposing organic debris. Most heterotrophic bacteria utilize oxygen in the
decomposition process. Heterotrophic bacteria can double their numbers in as short as 20 minutes.

Nitrifying Bacteria
Another category of bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, cannot breakdown organic materials, but rather must convert ammonia (NH3) to
oxides of nitrogen (NOx) for their energy needs. These bacteria also require carbon dioxide (CO2) to fulfill their carbon requirements.
They are obligate aerobes (need oxygen) and cannot multiply or convert ammonia in the absence of oxygen.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems
Part A: The Ecosphere is a self-contained miniature ecosystem. Inside each ecosphere are micro-organisms (bacteria),
red brine shrimp, algae and filtered sea water (the coral branch is just decoration but also provides some surface area
for the bacteria to grow). The ecosphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, so you never have to feed the life within. These
small spheres can survive for more than eight years. The large spheres have been known to last for over 20 years.

The ecosphere will thrive for over eight years without the owner having to add or remove anything from the sphere.
However, this is not the case with any combination of organisms in a closed container. The company that created these
spheres had to find the right combination of organisms that would survive together for an indefinite period of time.

* Explain why this combination of organisms allows this sphere to survive for such a long time? BE SPECIFIC! Provide a
diagram to represent your ideas.

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part A: The Ecosphere is a self-contained miniature ecosystem. Inside each ecosphere are micro-organisms (bacteria),
red brine shrimp, algae and filtered sea water (the coral branch is just decoration but also provides some surface area
for the bacteria to grow). The ecosphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, so you never have to feed the life within. These
small spheres can survive for more than eight years. The large spheres have been known to last for over 20 years.

The ecosphere will thrive for over eight years without the owner having to add or remove anything from the sphere.
However, this is not the case with any combination of organisms in a closed container. The company that created these
spheres had to find the right combination of organisms that would survive together for an indefinite period of time.

* Explain why this combination of organisms allows this sphere to survive for such a long time? BE SPECIFIC! Provide a
diagram to represent your ideas.

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part A: The Ecosphere is a self-contained miniature ecosystem. Inside each ecosphere are micro-organisms (bacteria),
red brine shrimp, algae and filtered sea water (the coral branch is just decoration but also provides some surface area
for the bacteria to grow). The ecosphere is a self-sustaining ecosystem, so you never have to feed the life within. These
small spheres can survive for more than eight years. The large spheres have been known to last for over 20 years.

The ecosphere will thrive for over eight years without the owner having to add or remove anything from the sphere.
However, this is not the case with any combination of organisms in a closed container. The company that created these
spheres had to find the right combination of organisms that would survive together for an indefinite period of time.

* Explain why this combination of organisms allows this sphere to survive for such a long time? BE SPECIFIC! Provide a
diagram to represent your ideas.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems
Part B: A student analyzing the sphere hypothesized that if the algae, or the bacteria, or the brine shrimp were removed
from the sphere, the other organisms in the sphere would not survive.

* Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
* Provide a detailed response that includes an explanation, your reasoning and possibly a diagram if that would
provide further support for your claim.

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part B: A student analyzing the sphere hypothesized that if the algae, or the bacteria, or the brine shrimp were removed
from the sphere, the other organisms in the sphere would not survive.

* Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
* Provide a detailed response that includes an explanation, your reasoning and possibly a diagram if that would
provide further support for your claim.

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part B: A student analyzing the sphere hypothesized that if the algae, or the bacteria, or the brine shrimp were removed
from the sphere, the other organisms in the sphere would not survive.

* Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
* Provide a detailed response that includes an explanation, your reasoning and possibly a diagram if that would
provide further support for your claim.

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part B: A student analyzing the sphere hypothesized that if the algae, or the bacteria, or the brine shrimp were removed
from the sphere, the other organisms in the sphere would not survive.

* Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
* Provide a detailed response that includes an explanation, your reasoning and possibly a diagram if that would
provide further support for your claim.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems
Part C: When the algae or the bacteria are removed from the sphere, all the organisms in the sphere do indeed die.
However, when the shrimp are removed from the sphere, the sphere is still able to survive indefinitely. The algae and
bacteria continue to grow and survive.

* Explain why or how this is possible. Be specific.

(See data on the composition of the ecosphere water over time with various combinations of organisms. Also see
background information on Seawater.)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part C: When the algae or the bacteria are removed from the sphere, all the organisms in the sphere do indeed die.
However, when the shrimp are removed from the sphere, the sphere is still able to survive indefinitely. The algae and
bacteria continue to grow and survive.

* Explain why or how this is possible. Be specific.

(See data on the composition of the ecosphere water over time with various combinations of organisms. Also see
background information on Seawater.)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part C: When the algae or the bacteria are removed from the sphere, all the organisms in the sphere do indeed die.
However, when the shrimp are removed from the sphere, the sphere is still able to survive indefinitely. The algae and
bacteria continue to grow and survive.

* Explain why or how this is possible. Be specific.

(See data on the composition of the ecosphere water over time with various combinations of organisms. Also see
background information on Seawater.)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems

Part C: When the algae or the bacteria are removed from the sphere, all the organisms in the sphere do indeed die.
However, when the shrimp are removed from the sphere, the sphere is still able to survive indefinitely. The algae and
bacteria continue to grow and survive.

* Explain why or how this is possible. Be specific.

(See data on the composition of the ecosphere water over time with various combinations of organisms. Also see
background information on Seawater.)

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

Part C
Table 1: Ecosphere Water Quality Data: Bacteria + Shrimp + Algae
Parameter Acceptable Range Day 1 Day 10 Day 20 Day 30 Day 100
Turbidity 10-25 NTU 10 11 13 11 10
Dissolved Oxygen > 5.0 mg/L 6.3 6.6 6.4 6.5 6.4
Carbon Dioxide > 2.5 mg/L 3.1 3.5 3.2 3.6 3.1
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) 0.05 – 0.09 mg/L 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.05 0.07
Ammonia (NHx) 0.02 – 0.05 mg/L 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.03
Organic Phosphate (P) 0.010 – 0.05 mg/L 0.015 0.02 0.017 0.015 0.018
Dissolved Phosphates (POx) 0.02 – 0.09 mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.05
Turbidity: A measurement that provides an estimate of the muddiness or cloudiness of the water due to clay, silt, fine
organic and inorganic matter, soluble colored organic compounds, plankton, and microscopic organisms. A
nephelometer is used to measure how much light is scattered by suspended particles in the water. The greater the
scattering, the higher the turbidity. Therefore, low NTU values indicate high water quality, while high NTU values
indicate low water quality.

Table 2: Ecosphere Water Quality Data: Bacteria + Shrimp; No Algae

Parameter Acceptable Range Day 1 Day 10 Day 20 Day 30 Day 100
Turbidity 10-25 NTU 12 11 10 14 11
Dissolved Oxygen > 5.0 mg/L 6.3 5.4 4.5 3.6 0.04
Carbon Dioxide > 2.5 mg/L 4.1 4.4 3.7 3.3 2.8
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) 0.05 – 0.09 mg/L 0.061 0.062 0.064 0.043 0.053
Ammonia (NHx) 0.02 – 0.05 mg/L 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.001
Organic Phosphate (P) 0.010 – 0.05 mg/L 0.015 0.015 0.02 0.032 0.515
Dissolved Phosphates (POx) 0.02 – 0.09 mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.09

Table 3: Ecosphere Water Quality Data: Shrimp + Algae – No Bacteria

Parameter Acceptable Range Day 1 Day 10 Day 20 Day 30 Day 100
Turbidity 10-25 NTU 12 15 23 27 36
Dissolved Oxygen > 5.0 mg/L 6.3 6.5 6.8 7.0 8.8
Carbon Dioxide > 2.5 mg/L 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.3
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) 0.05 – 0.09 mg/L 0.06 0.059 0.057 0.056 0.044
Ammonia (NHx) 0.02 – 0.05 mg/L 0.03 0.64 1.25 1.85 6.78
Organic Phosphate (P) 0.010 – 0.05 mg/L 0.015 0.22 0.42 0.62 2.27
Dissolved Phosphates (POx) 0.02 – 0.09 mg/L 0.05 0.046 0.042 0.038 0.007

Table 4: Ecosphere Water Quality Data: Bacteria + Algae – No Shrimp

Parameter Acceptable Range Day 1 Day 10 Day 20 Day 30 Day 100
Turbidity 10-25 NTU 12 11 10 10 10
Dissolved Oxygen > 5.0 mg/L 6.3 6.9 7.7 8.3 8.1
Carbon Dioxide > 2.5 mg/L 3.1 2.87 2.75 2.67 2.64
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) 0.05 – 0.09 mg/L 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.05
Ammonia (NHx) 0.02 – 0.05 mg/L 0.03 0.01 0.006 0.001 0
Organic Phosphate (P) 0.010 – 0.05 mg/L 0.015 0.005 0.002 0.004 0.012
Dissolved Phosphates (POx) 0.02 – 0.09 mg/L 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.04
Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)
Part C
Background Information on Seawater
SEAWATER
Seawater is a solution of salts of nearly constant composition, dissolved in variable amounts of water. There are over 70
elements dissolved in seawater but only 6 make up over 99% of all the dissolved salts.

Major Constituents of Seawater

-
Chloride (Cl ) 55.04% wt
Sodium (Na+) 30.61% wt
-
Sulphate (SO4 ) 7.68% wt
Magnesium (Mg+) 3.69% wt
+
Calcium (Ca ) 1.16% wt
Potassium (K+) 1.10% wt
TOTAL 99.28% wt

Oceanographers use salinity – the amount (in grams) of total dissolved salts present in 1 kilogram of water – to express
the salt content of seawater. Normal Seawater has a salinity of 35 grams/kilogram (or liter) of water, also expressed as
35% or 35 parts per thousand. Sea water varies in salinity from place to place, ranging between 34% and 37% in open
ocean areas.

DISSOLVED GASES IN SEAWATER

Seawater also contains small amounts of dissolved gases (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and trace gases.)
Water at a given temperature and salinity is saturated with gas when the amount of gas entering the water equals the
amount leaving during the same time. Surface seawater is normally saturated with atmospheric gases such as oxygen
and nitrogen. The amount of gas that can dissolve in seawater is determined predominately by the water’s temperature
and salinity. Increasing the temperature or salinity reduces the amount of gas that can be dissolved.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Dissolved oxygen is a measure of the soluble oxygen present within the sample. DO is necessary
for the life supporting capacity of a body of water. A value of greater than 6 is considered necessary to support a stable
aquatic community. Many aquatic creatures (fishes especially) are capable of greatly varying their respiration rate to
adjust to a range of temperatures and oxygen levels. DO is measured in mg/L.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon Dioxide dissolves in water and combines with other chemical sin water to form various
compounds. These compounds affect the chemistry of the water.

When a small amount of CO2 enters the water it combines with the water to form carbonic acid:
CO2 + H2O → H2CO3
Carbon acid (H2CO3) may dissociate and form bicarbonates:
H2CO3 → HCO3- + H+
Bicarbonate (HCO3-) may be taken up and used by photosynthesizing plants. Therefore carbon dioxide in water is not
measured as CO2 concentration but rather is reflected in the amount of bicarbonate and carbonate in the water.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

NUTRIENTS IN SEA WATER
Nutrients measured in marine waters include phosphorous and nitrogen. These nutrients exist in dissolved and
particulate form (attached to matter). Dissolved nutrients are more readily available to be taken up by plants and
animals (referred to as bioavailable). Because nitrogen and phosphorus are found in the environment in a number of
forms, water quality scientists measure them in different ways. In marine waters, nitrogen is more readily recycled than
phosphorus, and is therefore more readily available.

Nitrogen: Nitrogen is an element required fir life and is usually the most significant nutrient in estuarine and marine
waters. Nitrogen present in water may be bound up in plant or animal tissue, in which case it is referred to as “organic”
nitrogen. Organic nitrogen includes all organic compounds such as proteins, polypeptides, amino acids and urea. Organic
nitrogen is not immediately available for biological activity. Therefore, it does not contribute to furthering plant
proliferation until decomposition to the inorganic forms of nitrogen occurs. Organic nitrogen eventually breaks down
into “inorganic” forms; oxides of nitrogen (NOx) or ammonia (NHx). These inorganic forms are bioavailable forms of
nitrogen found dissolved in water.

Ammonia (NH3 & NH4) represents the end-product of protein metabolism in fish and other aquatic animals. Ammonia is
rapidly oxidized by certain bacteria, in natural water systems, to oxides of nitrogen (NO2 or NO3) – a process that
requires the presence of dissolved oxygen. The ammonia forms of nitrogen are very soluble in water.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus is essential to the growth of organisms just as nitrogen is. Phosphorus is normally available to
cells in the form of phosphates (PO4-3). These phosphates are soluble in water. Soluble phosphorus (PO4-3) is a measure
of the biologically available dissolved form of phosphorus readily available for uptake during photosynthesis. Total
phosphorus includes dissolved, particulate and organically bound phosphorus. Both are measured in mg/L.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

Ecosphere Matter Transformation Problems: Cellular Respiration
Part D1: (In Groups) If both bacteria and brine shrimp are removed so that the algae are the only living organisms left in
the ecosphere, the algae will die in a few weeks.

* Explain in detail why the algae die. Write your explanation on your poster. Be prepared to share with the class.

Part D2: (In Groups) Below is a data table showing the water quality over the first 100 days of an experiment in which
both bacteria and shrimp are removed so that algae is the only living organism. Does the data in the table support your
explanation as to why the algae die? Refer to specific parameters in the table to defend your explanation.

Table 5: Ecosphere Water Quality Data – Algae only – No Shrimp or Bacteria

Parameter Acceptable Range Day 1 Day 10 Day 20 Day 30 Day 100
Turbidity 10-25 NTU 12 13 11 13 12
Dissolved Oxygen > 5.0 mg/L 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.3
Carbon Dioxide > 2.5 mg/L 3.1 3.5 3.3 3.3 3.4
Oxides of Nitrogen 0.05 – 0.09 mg/L 0.06 0.057 0.053 0.05 0.041*
(NOx)
Organic Nitrogen 0.010 – 0.05 mg/L 0.021 0.026 0.034 0.041 0.052*
Organic Phosphorus (P) 0.010 – 0.05 mg/L 0.015 0.025 0.032 0.043 0.053*
Dissolved Phosphates 0.02 – 0.09 mg/L 0.05 0.041 0.032 0.021 0.011*
(POx)
* outside acceptable range

Part D3: (On Your Own) Look again at the data on dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide. If the sphere that contains
algae only, where does the oxygen and carbon dioxide in the ecosphere come from? Explain in detail and include a
drawing / diagram if it aids in your explanation. Write your explanation in your lab notebook.

Part D4: (On Your Own) If the sphere is placed in a closed box for three days, the algae will not immediately die but it
will lose mass. Why does the algae lose mass and where does the mass go? Write your explanation in your lab
notebook.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)

Ecosphere Energy Transformation Questions: In your Lab Notebook
1. If the sphere is placed in a closed box (a dark environment) after a period of weeks everything in the sphere dies.
What role does light play in keeping each of the organisms alive? Create a diagram to represent your ideas.

2. Consider the following statement: If energy cycles like matter does, then should I be able to put a plant in the
sunlight for a week, then remove it from the light and it should survive in a box (or unlit place) for years because the
energy it was supplied with would keep cycling. But we know that this is not true – the plant dies. How can you account
for this?

3. Create a diagram showing the flow of 100 units of energy through the ecosphere. Begin with 100 units of energy
coming from the sun to Earth.

Ecosphere Energy Transformation Questions: In your Lab Notebook

1. If the sphere is placed in a closed box (a dark environment) after a period of weeks everything in the sphere dies.
What role does light play in keeping each of the organisms alive? Create a diagram to represent your ideas.

2. Consider the following statement: If energy cycles like matter does, then should I be able to put a plant in the
sunlight for a week, then remove it from the light and it should survive in a box (or unlit place) for years because the
energy it was supplied with would keep cycling. But we know that this is not true – the plant dies. How can you account
for this?

3. Create a diagram showing the flow of 100 units of energy through the ecosphere. Begin with 100 units of energy
coming from the sun to Earth.

Ecosphere Energy Transformation Questions: In your Lab Notebook

1. If the sphere is placed in a closed box (a dark environment) after a period of weeks everything in the sphere dies.
What role does light play in keeping each of the organisms alive? Create a diagram to represent your ideas.

2. Consider the following statement: If energy cycles like matter does, then should I be able to put a plant in the
sunlight for a week, then remove it from the light and it should survive in a box (or unlit place) for years because the
energy it was supplied with would keep cycling. But we know that this is not true – the plant dies. How can you account
for this?

3. Create a diagram showing the flow of 100 units of energy through the ecosphere. Begin with 100 units of energy
coming from the sun to Earth.

Modified from April Maskiewicz: Ecosphere Problem Tasks (https://sites.google.com/site/ecospheremodule)