- Summer of 2025 (July) Bill Loring approached me in the Bio lab and suggested I submit a grant proposal with NASA Nebraska as part of their fellowship. Through much encouragement my grant proposal was submitted and I was accepted by the NASA Nebraska Fellowship.
- August I had started communicating with experts on Terrarium Science, Isopod care, and Soil Science. My explanation of the project was as follows:
I plan to use 3 different saprophytes to push nutrients into the MM1 Mohave Martian Garden regolith simulant, designed by NASA in 2007. The idea is to create a system that would provide Martian colonists with creative ways to use the soil already on mars for gardening as well as bacterial and microbial production. By demonstrating the use of multiple saprophytes, we can find creative solutions for resource management, as well as larger greenhouse projects based on this and other smaller experimental models.
I will build an 18 gallon glass bowl terrarium with the soil as substrate and introduce 3 saprophytes to the enclosure. Saprophytes being any organism that breaks down organic matter and produces non organic waste. The most famous examples would be earthworms, but I will be using a combination of isopods, springtails, and mycorrhizal fungi. I plan to create a full evaporation rain cycle within the bowl using a rock reservoir at the bottom. I hope to use this to create an enclosed ecosystem we can observe. once the saprophytes in the enclosure have (hopefully) successfully changed the nutrient content of the soil to a plant ready substrate I will attempt to germinate seeds and grow small plants.
There are a few important questions I want to answer (so far):
- How long will it take for these 3 organisms to put enough nutrients in the soil for growth?
- What plants would be best for the resulting substrate?
- What can isopods, springtails, and mycorrhizal fungi provide that nematodes could not also do?
- What are some of the barriers and troubleshooting one could expect in keeping a project like this?
- How much water will I need?
- What are the total resources required?
and finally.....
- Can NASA use this research?
Eventually, if this is successful I am hoping to use this research to submit another grant for testing how isopods (as ovoviviparous species) and springtails respond to zero gravity. There are currently student grant opportunities through The International Space station. I have not applied for one, but if I am dreaming big, I hope to one day submit a grant to include isopods and springtails in astronaut experiments on the space station. Shooting for the stars a little bit there.
- September 1st - 30th the project officially starts and we made initial sketches for my build, I selected my Isopod and Springtail springtail species. I also ordered the Mycorrhizal fungi. During September I reached out to experts at Josh's Frogs, Martian Gardens, Panhandle Research and Extension center (UNL Scottsbluff), The Insect Spotlight Project, Chemistry Professor Dave Nelson, Biology Professor Kate Schneider, Local Horticulturist Jason Mathis with Peaceful Prairie Nursery, Computer Science Professor Bill Loring (Also my NASA Nebraska Fellowship mentor), Ph.D. Student Charlotte Kahn at the UF Whitney Laboratory for Marine Science and more.
- October - 3rd - I finalize a timeline and a list of initial questions to ask. I also document the composition of the MMS-1 regolith and include questions about Silica in my inquiries to Isopod and Terrarium experts.
- October - 7th - 18 Gallon glass bowl, water mister, detritus, and Plexi glass arrive. These are cleaned with vinegar water (which leaves no harsh anti-bio residue) and set in the Makers Space where the project and experiments are planned to occur.
- October 10th - Regolith arrives via FedEx, plans are made for a 3D printed mini to place in the Terrarium. Owen Osmera (Fellow NASA fellowship member) teaches me a little about 3D printing and helps with sensor ideas.
- October - 15th - Chemistry Professor Dave Nelson agrees to join Professor Bill Loring in mentoring me and he assists me in observing the regolith under the microscope. I was worried the Silica particles would behave as diatomaceous earth does and shred the exoskeletons of the arthropods in the enclosure. Nelson observed the particles of silica within the regolith and we determined they where not sharp enough. The edges were rounded the way silica tumbles naturally in soil instead of shards like are cut for diatomaceous earth. This meant the Regolith should be safe for Isopods native to red soils.
- October 17th - Wearing masks to protect from dust inhalation, Owen, Prof Loring, and myself layer the regolith in the 18 gallon glass bowl. the 1st layer in 1 1/2 inch deep and composed or 1/2 inch hydroton clay pebbles to form a drainage layer. Next is a 4 kilogram layer of "course" grade MMs-1 Martian Gardens Regolith. Finally, the top layer in 8 Kilograms of "Fine" grade Regolith. As each layer is added it is sprayed with water (800ML total) to ensure each layer is damp. This helps keep dust from from suspending in the air and causing raspatory issues in the makers space, as well as helping water move throughout the terrarium. I also continued to read on soil science and seek education to better understand how to answer my own questions and understand any data I obtain. I also start a water and Ditritus log to keep track of all water and decaying matter added to the experiment.
- October 21st - Through the donations from Jason Mathis with Peaceful Prairie Nursery, 3 plants are added to the enclosure. Isolepsis cernua (Fiber Optic grass, Lysimachia hummularia (Creeping Jenny) and Callisia repens (Turtle vine). Bill Loring and Owen help me get a humidity sensor installed.
- October 23rd - Met with Bijesh Maharjan, a local expert on soil science to understand the project. Bijesh explains the importance of weighing water and any detritus I add to the system. Bijesh offers to assist further with the soil science and will later allow me to compare my sensors with his at the research center. Through Brijesh I understand I should have strived harder to weigh all materials added. He describes the necessity of testing for gas greenhouse gas emissions, organic matter, and a respiration test at the end of the project. He stresses ALL additives must be measured before being introduced. This teaches me a lot.
Isopods Springtails and fungi all arrive.
Bijesh offers me an internship at the UNL Nebraska Extension (Experiment farm), studying greenhouse gas emissions and soils science. An incredible opportunity I would never have obtained without starting a project with the NASA Nebraska fellowship. I accept. The internship will start May 1st of 2025.
- October 24th - This is a big day for the project!
The creeping Jenny begins to decay and will serve as 5.10 grams of detritus for the saprophytes to consume.
13.43grams of leaf litter are added.
Through the WNCC STEM club's donation I add a Dracaena fragrans (Cornstalk dracaena plant) to the experiment.
118ML (69.19g) of Pure Mycorrhizal inoculum are added. This is almost certainly too much as I made the mistake of measuring for 18 gallons of soil instead of the 12.
20 of the Giant Canyon Isopods donated by Josh's Frogs are added to the enclosure.
- October 25th - I observe Isopods to be lethargic and not exhibiting burrowing behavior. However humidity and temperature look good at 71 degrees F and 86%. I do not understand what need is not being met and start reading and asking experts for answers.
- October 29th - 89% humidity on average, still no activity or burrowing behavior. 1 Isopod dies after walking through s dry patch of silica and desiccating. It becomes clear the water is not traveling deep enough into the soil and the silica is acting as a barrier. This is causing the topsoil to dry out quickly despite the high humidity and regular water spray. This is also keeping the water in the air. Humidity sometimes climbs to 90% or higher but the soil stays somewhat dry.
- October 31st - 2 mosquitos are located in the enclosure (maybe Ochlerotatus idhoensis). I determine they must have come in with the Cornstalk dracaena and remove them. I log this and keep an eye out for more surprises. I add more detritus (28.55g) in hopes of creating places that hold on to moisture so the isopods can have a safe place until I find a better solution.
- November 3rd - It seems a male bold jumping spider (Phidippus audax) had also entered the enclosure with the plants. While I determine he is not a danger to the ecosystem within, he will die if left inside. Unlike the mosquitos he was able to hide in the detritus. I remove him and take him to my home Terrarium to work on an ongoing mite outbreak. (Which works by the end of November the mites in the home terrarium are gone) I determine to take better care in ensuring any pants of detritus are sanitized prior to entering the enclosure. I have now learned even more about managing mini ecosystems through trial and error.
- November 5th - Prof Kate Schneider assists me in identifying bio organisms in the decaying matter and water in springtail culture under a microscope. We identify small nematodes and copepods in the water from the springtail culture. There is no way with my knowledge and tools to eliminate the possibility of adding these when I add the springtails. However to reduce the possibility I use a fine mesh screen to allow the charcoal and moss to dry inside the enclosure encouraging the springtails to leave the culture and seek moisture within the enclosure. Culture containing around a thousand springtails added. Temperate Springtails (Folsoma candida) donated by Josh's Frogs.
- November 5th (continued) - Dave Nelson assists me in sanitizing cork bark weighing 72.2 grams and 43.32 grams of cork bark using a pressure cooker at 15psi. I then added the cooled cork bark to the enclosure for an isopod hide and food source. I include their weights in the detritus log. Weight after pressure cooking to include the moisture weight. Added 22g calcium carbonate ground from cuttlefish bone as well. This will serve as a supplement to the arthropods for their exoskeletons.
- November 6th - After some reading I realize the large amount of silica is the cause of the moisture issues. A rain cycle is not correct for this enclosure because the water collects on the surface and never makes it down deeper. This is why the isopods are not active and why it is so difficult to keep dry spots from forming on the topsoil. I dig a well to drainage layer to pour 100ML water directly into hydroton. This will serve as an aquafer allowing the silica based substrate to pull water up. I will continue to spray the top soil as well. I add 10 more isopods.
Within days the isopods become far more active. This implies to me the aquifer worked and the moisture levels are better.
- November 12th - I use 4mm thick silicone tubing pushed down into the deepest part of the substrate into the hydroton aquifer. I attach a comically large 550 CC syringe and push 350cc of RO water down in the aquifer. I detach the syringe but leave the tubing for later water pushes. This allows me to add water below the substrate without digging and disturbing the organisms within.
- November 13th - Met with Josh's Frogs marketing coordinator Evan K for interview about the NASA project as well as the use of their donated Giant Canyon Isopods and springtails. I cannot thank them enough for their donation and advise.
- November 14th - I add the final batch of Isopods to the enclosure. I use magnifying glass and microscope to attempt to sex them. I have little success as I am not experienced and only the adults display prominent enough. Females have boxy shaped pleopods and brood pouches. Males have more angular thinner pleopods with a penis at the center which is the same color and opacity as the pleopods behind it. I manage to identify 5 sexually mature females, 6 sexually mature males and the rest I am unable to identify in their juvenile state. I find 3 of the females pregnant with full brood pouches. I add 35 in total in this final batch.
- November 15th - This starts the observe and wait stage. Humidity and moisture levels look great. Isopods and springtails are active and show a lot of nighttime activity on camera. I will continue to add water and monitor moisture and humidity levels.
- November 25th - Isopod activity seems to increase
- December 3rd - I find large amount of Mancae (newly born isopods). At least one full brood. This is exciting to me because I had read that when the environment is not suitable, isopods easily miscarry. A successful "birth" implies to me the environment I have created is ideal to support the organisms within it and allow them to reproduce and thrive. Woohoo!
- December 4th - I present the project in the STEM club project presentation
- December 13th - I add way too much water to try and measure the aquifer and prep for break The water saturates the soil and the isopods huddle underneath the cork bark. I will need to find a way to fix this. This could cause some major issues. I am concerned I will lose isopods. I also take note from a late night review of the camera, that my light cycle seems to have reversed itself. So I will need to make day, day again and night, night again.
- December 15th - Moisture has leveled out. The soil moisture still high, but the isopods are extremely active. They have also begun to burrow again. I will not add any more water but will continue to monitor.
- Currently -- Preparing to calibrate sensors using Martian regolith of varying moisture levels and compare my sensors with Bijesh's calibrated soil sensors to ensure I have accurate parameters. I am also adding water and detritus as needed. We are primarily in the observation stage.