Biological Systems - Crystallisation

by Olivia Chan

Experimenting and observing agglomeration in salt crystallisation.

Initially our group observed that growth of Korail would begin around the edges of nearby water bodies. Each lake then gradually filled in and growth of the settlement would move into these water areas. It was however constricted as the influence of the affluent Gulshan district seem to perturb growth.

These initial growths around the edges of the water led to the experiment of salt crystallisation as they too begin growth by water edges. As I believe that the settlement will continue to grow, I experimented with salt crystallisation to see if I could draw any parallels this biological system and Korail.

In the diagram above, C represents a salt dissolved in water at room temperature. H stands salt dissolved in water above 80 degrees Celsius.

From this experiment, the conditions of each environment seemed to translate to an instruction within the formation and organisation of these crystals.

The four successful test samples

Observation of biological process

The most successful sample was taken with crystals dissolved in hot water and left in cool conditions