Microbiology Report

 

Enterobacteria analysis

Our experiment’s goal was to show the presence of TVC bacteria and Enterobacteria in various surfaces and samples.
We have taken samples from the hab, and from several locations south of the hab.
The results are the followings:
 

The number of observed spots in the agars after 48 hr incubating at 37 deg C.
Mould: Plate Count Agar - Total Aerobic Bacterial Count on TVC
Bacteria: Violet Red Bile Dextrose agar (precipitated acids surrounding the colonies)

SAMPLES IN THE HAB 

Mould           Bacteria
#               extent

0               none            Incubator inside 
2       small   none            Generator
6               none            Mug in kitchen
6       large   slight          Rear airlock steps
10      mixed   slight          Space suit
12      small   none (?!)       Toilet, light switch
15      small   none            Teaspoon found on desk
30      small   very heavy      Laptop
30      small   none            FM radio power switch
SOIL SAMPLES
Mould           Bacteria
#               extent

0 or some       none            300 m white sand talus slope     20 cm depth, 
0 or some       heavy           320 m soil,                      5 cm depth
1               very slight     200 m grey mudstone              10 cm depth
2               none            500 m,                           5 cm depth
4       large   moderate        200 m grey mudstone,             surface
4       large   very slight     300 m talus slope, white sand    surface
30      small   very slight     100 m soil sample                surface
It is clear that samples taken from under the surface have no mould presence while surface cover has. There is a correlation with distance from the hab. Heavy presence of enterobacteria at the 320 m / 5 cm sample should be explained. These values should be checked later since the two tests in some cases do not correllare. It may be possible that some samples got contaminated from the gloves.

Soil samples Coordinates
Taken Apr 24, 2008..  10:00-10.40 South from the hab
0 m HAB 1369 m 0518231 / 4250737
100 m near engeneering area
200 m 1368 m / 0518207 / 425039
300 m 1369 m / 0518208 / 4250442
306 m 1367 m / 0518210 / 4250430 dombtető hilltop
500 m 1366 m / 0518250 / 4250245 patakmeder stream bed


 

Dotted rocks TVC analysis

One of the main taks was to find out wether the dots in/on "polka dotted rock" are of biological origin or not.
The most ambiguous results came from the microbioloogical analysis of these “polka-dotted rocks” that could be find only on the start of Sagan Road (near the potholes). The first results were negative, but after 3-6 days of incubating, positive results came: strangely, not only red or spots appeared as was usual on the TVC agar, but spots of three colors: yellow, pale red and neutral ones.
The samples were observed through microscope: it seems as if something would “eat” the rocks on the dotted parts which are surficial but sometimes have some depth into the rock.


After 6 days of incubating, dotted rock sample shows yellow, pale red and neutral colored spots (TVC agar)


Polka-dotted rock under microscope (10x)


Polka dotted rocks in situ: orange colored rocks show the presence of possible microbes. These cliffs are nearby potholes and possible solifluction features.


Polka dotted rocks in situ