Week 0: The sample of soil microbes are being allowed to grow. I acquired my sample from a bayou near The University of Houston. I was drawn to this location due to the excessive runoff and construction that was happening in the area. This looked to be an ideal place to find contaminates in the soil either from the construction or the neglected student/campus run off.
Week 1: We have placed the original sample of grown microbes into selective media (CSM and SSM). Theses selective media allow certain types of organisms to grow, and inhibit the growth of other organisms. They make it hard for certain organisms to grow which makes sure that only the microbe that can tolerate or thrive in the certain media can grow. The CSM tubes showed a brownish tint whereas the SSM tubes showed a redish orange tint, which indicate growth. We will continue to so this until the strongest or most tolerant microbes are left.
Week 2: The week showed yellow tints in CSM mp and px while both SSM stayed clear.
Week 3: This week showed major yellow tint in CSM px tube and a pale tint in SSM px tube.
Week 4+5: All samples mostly clear appart from CSM Px which is slightly yellow
Final results: The colonies on the plate were determined to only tolerate the pesticide Peroxon and will grow in the presence of it, but will not degrade it creating these concerning residuals. There is still evidence that Organophosphorus or some other contaminate is being released into the environment, but it looks to be in minimal amounts as the microbes have only been selected to tolerate Px. If the Organophosphorus had been in more copious amounts the microbes would have had no choice but to degrade it in order to survive.
