Date: Monday, October 29th, 2018

Title: Soil Sample D Collection and Metadata

Rationale: The purpose of today’s lab was to collect more soil and record its metadata.

Class Question: Is there a difference in bacteriophage presence or type in soil samples taken from live oaks vs those from red oaks?

Procedure:

1. A live oak was found at 31°32’58” N 97°6’57” W.
2. Soil was collected near its roots.
3. The tree was calculated to be the following measurements:
   1. Circumference at 137 cm: 222 cm
   2. Canopy diameter: 14.63 m
   3. Tree height: 11.279 m
4. A pinch of soil was added to a pH vial filled with DI water.
5. The vial was shaken for 10 seconds then left for 2 minutes to settle.
6. A strip of pH paper was left in the vial for 45 seconds then compared to a chart to determine that the soil pH was about 5.8.
7. Percent water calculations were started by weighing soil and the weigh boat. The calculations are as follows:
   1. Empty weigh boat: 2.435 g
   2. Weigh boat with wet soil: 5.727 g
   3. Wet soil: 3.292 g

Observations: This soil was found by a tree close to the previous samples, yet it was more acidic soil.

Results: This experiment yielded a new soil sample as well as soil metadata to compare for trends.

Next Step: The next step is to complete metadata and wash the soil for enrichment.