Caffeine-gobbling microbe found : by John Roach on Cosmic Log
“Many people say they can’t live without caffeine, but few of us would actually perish in the absence of our morning coffee ritual. For the bacterium Pseudomonas putida CBB5 that isn’t the case. It really does live on caffeine, according to new research presented today.
The caffeine-munching bacterium was found in a flower bed on the University of Iowa campus.
Ryan Summers, a doctoral student there, identified four digestive proteins that it uses to break down caffeine, which allows it to live and grow, he explains in a summary of his research presented at a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in New Orleans….”
read full article: http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/24/6709498-caffeine-gobbling-microbe-found
Q: Why does my pond/lake stink?
A: Ponds and lakes can smell for many reasons, but Hydrogen Sulfide gas and planktonic algae are the most common.
In many ponds and lakes, anoxic conditions (devoid of oxygen) can develop on the bottom. Anaerobic bacteria will flourish leading to the buildup of Hydrogen Sulfide gas, which has a very characteristic “rotten egg” odor. It can be especially prevalent under windy conditions or when a new aeration system is installed.
Planktonic algae (cyano-bacteria) can secrete compounds that have a very distinct chemical odor. The odor is often a result of large algae blooms. You may also have smelled something similar in tap water, as the compounds tend to make it through typical water purification processes.
Prevent a fish kill from happening…
Before summer hits and the oxygen levels in your pond or lake decrease, make sure you have an adequate way to reduce unwanted aquatic plants and/or increase the oxygen to help prevent a fish kill from happening ~ keep your fish from dying!
Not sure what a fish kill is? The following is a great educational site about fish kills, when they happen and why.
Here is information on Summer Fish Kills: www.fish-kill.com
Q: Why is my pond water green?
A: Green water in ponds and lakes is caused by microscopic algae.
Massive blooms of blue-green algae can cause a rapid shift in water color in the upper reaches of the water column. In some situations, these algae can be toxic or cause oxygen crashes resulting in fish kills.
Q: What is pond moss?
A: Pond moss isn’t actually moss at all. Pond moss is actually slang for filamentous algae.
These algae will either grow on the bottom, around the edge or will create “rafts” by trapping oxygen bubbles created during photosynthesis and float up to the surface. This group of algae, comprised by many species of Cladophora, Hydrodictyon, Mougeotia, Rhizoclonium, Spirogyra and Zygnema, is bright yellow to green in color and has a stringy texture.
Q: What is pond scum?
A: Pond scum is another slang word used to describe algae floating on the surface or the layer of organic sludge at the bottom.
In either case, pond scum is a symptom of poor water quality and indicative of poor pond or lake health.
Q: Do you sell wholesale for dealers?
A: Yes, we are mainly a wholesale supplier for selling aeration systems and beneficial microbes to dealers.
If you are interested in becoming a Keeton Industries product dealer, click here to contact us today!
Q: What is pond sludge?
A: Pond sludge is the result of the accumulation of organic material, such as leaves, dead algae and waterfowl waste, on the bottom.
The buildup of organics on the pond bottom increase the demand for oxygen, which commonly leads to anoxic conditions (no oxygen) which further increase the rate of accumulation.
