Volta Experiment

Woohoo!! Ping actually had the chance to do the Volta experiment! It's been the most well-known experiment involving microbial proces of methanogenesis. We've learned it in undergrad introductory micro, in microbial ecology, in integrative microbiology, we talk about it everytime the topic of methanogenesis is brought up...but it's not an experiment that is commonly done. At least not in regular classes. But here at Woods Hole, Ping actually lighted the funnel!

Early during the lecture, Ralph Wolfe actually showed us 'Pistola di Volta' that was a replica of Alessandro Volta's glass made combustion chamber. He and Bill had collected methane gas the day before in a syringe and he had N and L to volunteer to fire the methane gun. It fired pretty far too. That's one of the best in-class demo I've ever had. Definitely better than those we get in high school during chemistry and biology classes.
We went out to Cedar Swamp about 1 mile or so away from MBL. It's a pretty small swamp but once you get there, you can see the bubbles coming up due to the formation of the methane gases by the methanogens. The directors did it as an example and later, each of us get the chance to try it. We filled a funnel with water and turned it upside down. We then stomped in the swamp to collect the methane gas in the funnel. Once the gas fills up the entire funnel, we remove the stop cock and light it. It was definitely fun! Although my shoes and pants are goner, I wouldn't mind going in to do it again.

Got a video too...here's the link. If anyone knows how to add the video here...please let me know. It's not totally clear but you can kinda see the funnel and that we're deep into the water (it was definitely up to my chin but I was stepping on tree roots and holding onto branches).