Name: microbial layers inside a winogradsky column
Uploaded: 2026-03-12T13:57:35.000Z
Duration: 1 min 27 s
Channel: JoVE

A Winogradsky column is a self-organizing, artificial microbial ecosystem for studying microbial diversity and metabolism.It is constructed by filling a glass cylinder halfway with organic-rich sediment.Shredded paper is added as a carbon source, gypsum as a sulfate source, and calcium carbonate as a buffer.The column is filled with water and exposed to light.Over time, distinct microbial layers develop in the column, creating oxygen and sulfur gradients.At the top, cyanobacteria perform oxygenic photosynthesis, producing oxygen, and keeping the upper zone aerobic.Below this, chemolithotrophic sulfur bacteria use this oxygen to oxidize hydrogen sulfide.In the lower anoxic zones, purple and green sulfur bacteria perform anoxygenic photosynthesis, using hydrogen sulfide to fix carbon dioxide.In the deeper anoxic layers, anaerobic bacteria such as sulfate reducers and fermenters reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, which diffuses upwards and is used by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, creating a vertical sulfur cycle.

the winogradsky column

The Winogradsky Column

A Winogradsky column provides a powerful tool for studying microbial ecology and metabolic interactions in a stratified, self-contained environment. This artificial ecosystem, developed by Sergei Winogradsky in the late 19th century, replicates the complex biogeochemical gradients found in natural sediments, allowing researchers to observe microbial succession and interactions over time.The column is typically assembled in a transparent glass cylinder filled halfway with sediment mixed with cellulose (e.g., shredded paper), calcium carbonate, and gypsum. The cellulose serves as a carbon source, calcium carbonate acts as a pH buffer, and gypsum supplies sulfate. The remaining space is filled with pond water, and the column is sealed to prevent evaporation and contamination. It is then placed in light to promote photosynthetic activity. Within weeks, chemical gradients of oxygen and sulfur develop, driving the formation of distinct microbial zones.The topmost layer, exposed to light and oxygen, is dominated by oxygenic phototrophs such as cyanobacteria and algae. These organisms fix carbon dioxide using light energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct. Just below, in the microaerophilic zone, colorless sulfur bacteria oxidize hydrogen sulfide (H&#8322;S) using the limited available oxygen, forming elemental sulfur (S&#8304;) or sulfate (SO&#8324;&#178;&#8315;).Deeper into the column, where oxygen becomes depleted, purple nonsulfur bacteria use photoheterotrophy, relying on organic substrates and light for growth. Still deeper, in strictly anoxic conditions, purple and green sulfur bacteria perform anoxygenic photosynthesis. These organisms use H&#8322;S as an electron donor and fix CO&#8322;, contributing to primary production in the absence of oxygen.At the base of the column, anaerobic bacteria such as sulfate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfovibrio spp.) and fermenters decompose organic matter. Sulfate reducers use sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor, producing H&#8322;S. This H&#8322;S diffuses upward, serving as an energy source for sulfur-oxidizing and photosynthetic bacteria in the upper layers, as a result sustaining a closed-loop sulfur cycle.The Winogradsky column, through its stratified structure and dynamic interactions, exemplifies the complexity and interdependence of microbial ecosystems, serving as an insightful model for environmental microbiology and biogeochemical cycling.

A Winogradsky column provides a powerful tool for studying microbial ecology and metabolic interactions in a stratified, self-contained environment. This ...

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Education

JoVE Core

Microbiology

Microbiologie

Unit

Eenheid

Microbial Ecology

Microbiële ecologie

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

BELANGRIJKE TERMEN EN CONCEPTEN

De Winogradsky Column

microbial layers inside a winogradsky column

A Winogradsky column shows how microbial layers form in a simple, sealed ecosystem. It is a clear model for studying microbial ecology and how different metabolisms interact in sediment over time.

The setup uses a transparent glass cylinder. Half of it is filled with sediment mixed with cellulose, such as shredded paper, calcium carbonate, and gypsum. The cellulose provides a carbon source. Calcium carbonate buffers pH, and gypsum supplies sulfate. The rest of the cylinder is filled with pond water, then sealed to limit evaporation and contamination.

The column is placed in light so photosynthesis can occur. Over several weeks, oxygen and sulfur gradients develop. These chemical changes create distinct microbial zones in the sediment and water column.

The top layer, which has both light and oxygen, is dominated by oxygenic phototrophs such as cyanobacteria and algae. These organisms use light to fix carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a byproduct. Just below that, in the microaerophilic zone, colorless sulfur bacteria use the small amount of oxygen available to oxidize hydrogen sulfide, or H2S. This process can produce elemental sulfur, S0, or sulfate, SO4(2−).

Deeper in the column, oxygen becomes scarce. Purple nonsulfur bacteria live here and use photoheterotrophy, which means they use light and organic substrates for growth. Still deeper, in fully anoxic zones, purple sulfur bacteria and green sulfur bacteria carry out anoxygenic photosynthesis. They use H2S as an electron donor and fix CO2 even without oxygen.

At the base of the column, anaerobic bacteria break down organic matter. Sulfate-reducing bacteria, such as Desulfovibrio species, use sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor and produce H2S. Fermenters also help decompose the material. The H2S moves upward and becomes fuel for sulfur-oxidizing and photosynthetic bacteria, which helps sustain a closed sulfur cycle in the column.

Microbial Layers Inside a Winogradsky Column

microbial-layers-inside-a-winogradsky-column

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A Winogradsky column shows how microbial layers form in a simple, sealed ecosystem. It is a clear model for studying microbial ecology and how different metabolisms interact in sediment over time. The setup uses a transparent glass cylinder. Half of it is filled with sediment mixed with cellulose, such as shredded paper, calcium carbonate, and gypsum. The cellulose provides a carbon source. Calcium carbonate buffers pH, and gypsum supplies sulfate. The rest of the cylinder is filled with pond...

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key terms and concepts

Explore how a Winogradsky column forms distinct microbial layers, from oxygenic phototrophs at the top to sulfate reducers at the base.

Microbial Layers Inside a Winogradsky Column | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Microbiology provides an engaging introduction to the microbial world and its influence on health, industry, and the environment. This comprehensive collection covers key concepts such as microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, and ecology. It introduces essential laboratory techniques and microscopy methods through visually engaging animations. Corresponding scientist-in-action videos bridge classroom concepts with real-world research and applications.

microbiology

Microbial Layers Inside a Winogradsky Column

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