In the first step, we separated the collected Kryconite from the water and then dried it. Now we can examine it in more detail.
In the first step, we determine the organic content. To do this, we heat the cryconite until the organic material is burned. This is called ashing. We can determine the proportion by weighing the sample before and after.
We then examine the remaining rock.
Determination of the organic content of cryoconite
Material:
- Porcelain crucible with lid or stainless steel crucible with lid
- burner
- Tone triangle
- tripod
- Scale
- spatula
- Cryoconite sample
- Weigh the crucible and record its mass.
- Place some of the dried cryoconite in a porcelain crucible.
- Weigh the crucible and its contents again and calculate the weighed mass of the cryoconite.
- Now ash your sample:
To do this, close the crucible with the appropriate cover and then place a clay triangle over a burner. Heat the crucible. - After about 5 minutes, take the crucible out of the fire using crucible tongs and let it cool down. Determine the mass.
- Place the crucible in the fire for another 2 – 3 minutes and then measure the mass again. If the mass has not changed, you can determine the final mass of your sample mSample.
- Now you can calculate the proportion of organic material.
Determination of the inorganic portion of cryoconite
Material:
- Cryoconite sample after incineration
- 10% hydrochloric acid
- Rock sample from the glacier
- 2 petri dishes
- pipette
- Place some of the ashed cryoconite sample in a Petri dish.
- Now add some 10% hydrochloric acid and observe.
- Place a rock from the glacier in a second Petri dish.
- Now also drip some 10% hydrochloric acid onto the stone.
What can you observe?
What conclusions can you draw?
