In a glass bottle of 12M NaOH, there is a white precipitate. Some think its a fungus or mold, however I think it is something else. Is it possible for anything to grow in such a harsh environment?
205866
It is a concentrated solution of NaOH, and the white precipitate may be sodium hydroxide itself when supersaturation may be occur ed if the solution stay for a long time. no mold or fungi can be grows in that media.The second probability for the precipitate may be due to an pure NaOH used, in other words may be another chemicals whit it and its solubility is not good enough in water.
346401
There is no way to answer this without knowing what the dewpoint and RH is.  Humidity is not necessarily a function of temperature even though it might seem as such when one thinks about the tropics.  You have to have more than what you've got here in order to answer.
437068
where the precipitate is formed you have a chemical reaction because the precipitate signals it, there are also color changes and temp changes that can signal to you that it is a chemical raction.\n\n\nthe other one is a physical reaction
395
Apparently so:\n\n\n"An environmental group says that mold spore counts are four times normal levels in some areas of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and warning residents to wear masks and protective clothing may not be enough.\n\nThe Natural Resources Defense Council said their tests show mold spores at "extraordinarily high" levels which could easily trigger serious allergic or asthmatic reactions.\n\nThe most common symptoms associated with exposure to certain molds include the following: Nasal stuffiness, Eye irritation, Wheezing, Aggravation of asthma, Cold/flu like symptoms, Rashes, Fever, Shortness of breath, Inability to concentrate, Fatigue & Sometimes lung infections"
415545
Not impossible but Hco3- is considered a very weak acid with resilience towards losing another Hydrogen Ion that's a good explanation for Hydrogen Carbonate formation instead of Carbonate
367051
Spore bearing would be acceptable in this case.  Also, moss is not a fungus.
428836
I generally follow the recommendations provided by our safety officer at my academic lab.\n\nIf your liquid cultures can afford the extra volume, you can just add a lot of deionized h2o, that should stop the growing (by lysing the cells).  Then toss in the bio-hazard bag, for the autoclave.  \n\nOr, if you have access to an autoclave, then autoclave the culture, and you can probably dump down the drain.\n\nCheck with your safety officer!!\n\nIt was fun thinking about your question.  Pass on the good Karma!
291736
This is a great website with all the information you want.\n\nGood Luck\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/stachy.htm
148992
An alum solution with water makes a very nice crystal and is hydrated.  Check out this website with how to grow crystals: \n\nhttp://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/alumcrystal.htm\n\nIn short, A hydrated crystal is a crystal that contains water as part of its chemical formula and structure. It may or may not absorb water vapor from the atmosphere. A crystal that is hygroscopic is one that absorbs water\nvapor from the atmosphere. CaCl2 and P2O5 are examples.
488457
that`s not normal for that plant. If you check the page that you send  with the question , it says that it`s a plant from Madagascar . That island is in a tropical zone , so there's`s not freezing temperatures in there, so that plant it`s getting hurt because of the cold . In the tropical plants , when the temperature goes below 0ºC , the water inside the cells freezes, forms ice  and it  breaks the cell membrane , so what you see in your plant  n the morning are dead cells. Please try to put it in a warm place at night
194842
Actually mold grows exceptionally well in damp (not wet), dark, warm environments. What I might suggest you do if you're so inclined is to put a slice behind the water tank of your bathroom toilet. I know that may seem gross but it's the only place within a home that meets this type of environmental need. It's constantly humid, and often dosen't recieve much natural lighting and it's often warm in there as well. Also this area has been proven by the CDC (centers for disease control) to be the place with the highest levels of bacterialogical activity within an average home.
334374
Regular micro-grade agar is generally clear (if it's made up right), not brown.  The human mouth is incredibly dirty so if nothing grew it is probably too cold.  Needs warmth and maybe a bit of moisture.  Give it a couple of days in a warm place (not in the sun) and SOMETHING should grow!
533105
I live in northeast Alabama and I have bad seasonal allergies and right now I am doing the best I've done all year. I don't know what could be blooming right now over there I think that most everything is dead now. I wonder if your having indoor allergy problems. It could be mold.
321464
It may be surface tension.
282999
a dust particle? microorganism? oh!god!!! im dying to know the answer...hurry up and tell:)
105573
there is a normal discharg & abnormal one in this case it prapably would be a fungal infx\nyou better see a doctor & have a culture of it.\nif you cant afford one\ntake one doses of metronedazol  1200mg each day for 2 days,\nor 300 three times daily for five days.
327750
It could be that lol or it may be due to the bacteria that lives within the body of water, such as blue algae. :)