Chapter 2
Standardization of the Microcosm N-System
Kazuhito Murakami, Yuhei Inamori, and Kaiqin Xu
Abstract In this chapter, the perspective needed for examining graded impact
statements is described. Such an evaluation is comprised of the examinations of
various culture conditions for standardizing the microcosm N-system, the
two-species cultures, the microcosm, and the mesocosm.
2.1 Standardization of the Microcosm N-System
In order to use the microcosm for environmental impact assessments, it is necessary
to standardize the microcosm culture conditions. To this end, important parameters
of the culture conditions for microbial cultivation were investigated.
2.1.1 Species Composition
Seventeen species, consisting of six species of protozoans and metazoans as
predators, seven species of algae as producers, and four species of bacteria as
decomposers, were used to investigate the effect of species composition on the
stability and reproducibility of the microcosm system, with the aim of developing a
standard, aquatic, flask-sized microcosm system. Three species each of protozoans
and metazoans were used as predators (consumer). The protozoans (Ciliata) were
Cyclidium glaucoma, Tetrahymena pyriformis, and Colpidium campylum. The
K. Murakami (*)
Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino, Chiba, Japan
e-mail: kazuhito.murakami@p.chibakoudai.jp
Y. Inamori
Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
e-mail: y_inamori@fais.or.jp
K. Xu
National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
e-mail: joexu@nies.go.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
Y. Inamori (ed.), Microcosm Manual for Environmental Impact Risk Assessment,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6798-4_2
11
Standardization of the Microcosm N-System
Kazuhito Murakami, Yuhei Inamori, and Kaiqin Xu
Abstract In this chapter, the perspective needed for examining graded impact
statements is described. Such an evaluation is comprised of the examinations of
various culture conditions for standardizing the microcosm N-system, the
two-species cultures, the microcosm, and the mesocosm.
2.1 Standardization of the Microcosm N-System
In order to use the microcosm for environmental impact assessments, it is necessary
to standardize the microcosm culture conditions. To this end, important parameters
of the culture conditions for microbial cultivation were investigated.
2.1.1 Species Composition
Seventeen species, consisting of six species of protozoans and metazoans as
predators, seven species of algae as producers, and four species of bacteria as
decomposers, were used to investigate the effect of species composition on the
stability and reproducibility of the microcosm system, with the aim of developing a
standard, aquatic, flask-sized microcosm system. Three species each of protozoans
and metazoans were used as predators (consumer). The protozoans (Ciliata) were
Cyclidium glaucoma, Tetrahymena pyriformis, and Colpidium campylum. The
K. Murakami (*)
Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino, Chiba, Japan
e-mail: kazuhito.murakami@p.chibakoudai.jp
Y. Inamori
Foundation for Advancement of International Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
e-mail: y_inamori@fais.or.jp
K. Xu
National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
e-mail: joexu@nies.go.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
Y. Inamori (ed.), Microcosm Manual for Environmental Impact Risk Assessment,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6798-4_2
11