Essays on Calcium Sulfate

Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 Narrations

Chapter 9: Acids and Bases Acids are defined as molecules or ions that are able to donate hydrogen ions to bases. Other authors have defined them as substances that produce hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. They are therefore proton donors (Brent 10-11). Acids and bases have become important components in biological and environmental systems and industrial processes. In fact, most of items found at home contain either acidic or basic substances. Acidic substances, which include grapefruit, lemons, vinegar and lime, taste tart or sour (Lew 1). Acids can be either diluted or concentrated. Concentrated acids such ...

Designing a Winogradsky Column

Introduction A Winogradsky column is a micro-community designed to grow a smaller replica of a larger ecosystem. Sergi Winogradsky along with Martinus Willem Bejerink designed it when microbiology was a newly emerging science. At that time, there were few microbiological methods and most microbiologists were engaged in researching the “germ theory” of disease. Winogradsky broke away from this practice and investigated environmental by cultivating and studying microbial communities. His work furthered our understanding of microbial diversity, physiology autotrophy and environmental nutrient cycling. In particular, his efforts led to a greater understanding of sulfur and nitrogen cycling. Of particular interest in experiments that target a ...