bestfiction Chapter 1282
Chapter 1282
Zhou Shuwan smiled slightly.
She took out the alloy support and prepared to first fix the coral branch on the support before transferring the microorganisms.
This approach simulates the material environment of a submarine hull and facilitates subsequent adjustments.
Qi Mingyu nodded, took the alloy brackets, and skillfully assembled them into a mesh frame that matched the size of the storage box.
"Use a support frame to prop up the coral branches, leaving a half-centimeter gap between them and the tank, so that microorganisms have enough room to move around."
As he secured the support frame, he explained, "The coral branches in the collection box are stacked in an interlocking manner. They are used to this three-dimensional environment, and laying them flat on a flat surface might affect their activity."
Mu Mu suddenly realized.
Once Qi Mingyu was ready, he opened the collection box.
A damp, salty smell filled the air. On the withered coral branches inside the box, countless tiny fluorescent microorganisms were wriggling, their pale blue tails shimmering like shattered stars.
"Be gentle, don't break the holes in the dead branch," Zhou Shuwan instructed, taking out tongs and picking up a small section of coral with dense holes from the box.
Then carefully secure it to the alloy bracket.
Mu Mu is good at applying what she has learned to other situations. After looking at it, she took a brush, dipped it in the mucus accumulated at the bottom of the collection box, and gently applied it to the contact surface between the coral branch and the support.
Using their own mucus as a transition should allow them to adapt to the new environment more quickly.
They worked together, and it took them half an hour to evenly fix the five pieces of coral dead branches onto the support.
These dead branches are intertwined, forming a loose, net-like structure.
Microorganisms wriggled rapidly through the holes in the dead branches, their tails flashing blue light more and more frequently, as if exploring new territory.
Zhou Shuwan took a closer look and found that some microorganisms had begun to crawl outwards along the dead branches, leaving faint traces at their tails.
"That's about it." Qi Mingyu straightened up.
Zhou Shuwan then prepared to crawl into the box.
They have to go in manually and test it out in person to see what's really going on!
This is closely related to the lives of the three of them.
Using oneself as a test subject is to obtain the safest and most perfect test results!
Qi Mingyu said with some concern, "Wanwan, I'd better go. It would be too dangerous for these coral polyps to be inside if their secretions have unknown toxins or if they carry pathogens."
Mu Mu also came over and said urgently, "Sister, let me go in! I'm tough, I can handle anything."
Zhou Shuwan bent down to check the airtightness of the storage box, and looked up when she heard this: "You two are tall and strong, it's hard to even turn around when you're curled up inside. If something happens, you won't even have room to save yourselves."
“I’m different. I’m small, so it’s easy for me to move around. And I can perceive subtle changes in the surrounding environment very accurately. If the mucus is abnormal or there’s something wrong with the coral, I can get out immediately.”
She smiled at the two of them and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and I won't risk my safety."
Qi Mingyu wanted to say something more, but Zhou Shuwan stopped him with a look.
He knew her personality too well; once she made a decision, she would never change it easily. He could only sigh softly.
"Then we will ensure that the protective measures are in place. You need to wear protective clothing. We will monitor the temperature, humidity, and changes in the composition of the mucus inside the box in real time. If there are any abnormalities, we will immediately terminate the experiment."
Mu Mu nodded: "Sister, you have to wear a protective suit. Although it's a bit heavy, it can prevent the mucus from directly contacting your skin. It's always good to have an extra layer of protection."
“That’s true!” Zhou Shuwan did not refuse.
Zhou Shuwan did not refuse and took out an ordinary protective suit from her space.
It's a completely sealed type, which can prevent viruses and gases, but it doesn't hinder temperature control.
After putting on her mask, she crawled into the storage box and curled up as much as possible.
The half-person-high storage box was just the right size to fit her.
She gestured for the locker door to be closed.
With a worried look in his eyes, Qi Mingyu closed the door and then he and Mu Mu moved the corals from the boxes on this side as well.
Gradually, as time went by, the outer wall of the storage box was covered with a thick layer of dark green film.
The fluorescent microorganisms wriggled continuously under the green membrane, their tails intertwined with blue light.
To be honest, if it weren't for my concern for Zhou Shuwan inside, this scene would have been an extremely gorgeous and beautiful sight.
But right now, neither Qi Mingyu nor Mu Mu are in the mood.
The two of them kept a close eye on the temperature changes on the monitoring instrument.
"The temperature is starting to change!" Qi Mingyu's tone was tinged with surprise. "The temperature inside the cabin was 26 degrees just now, but now the temperature around the storage box has risen to 30 degrees, and the temperature inside the box has also increased by two degrees."
He said thoughtfully, "It seems our previous guess was wrong. These coral polyps don't actually cool down the environment, but rather regulate it, raising or lowering the surrounding temperature to a level that suits their needs!"
They had initially guessed that the coral polyps could cool things down.
But in fact, coral polyps can regulate the temperature of their surrounding environment.
They had previously tested the temperature of the collection boxes, and the surface temperature of each box was measured at 37 or 38 degrees Celsius.
It seems that this is the optimal temperature for coral growth.
Mu Mu also came over to look at the equipment: "The composition test of the mucus is fine, it's not corrosive, and no toxic substances were found. Sister, how did you feel inside? Did you feel uncomfortable?"
He shouted inside.
"I'm fine." Zhou Shuwan's voice came through, carrying the feeling of being in a sealed box, but it was clear and steady. "I can't feel any temperature changes for the time being, but I don't feel stuffy."
Mu Mu and Qi Mingyu exchanged a glance and both relaxed slightly.
Everything seemed to be going in the right direction.
This requires time to test gradually.
Therefore, Zhou Shuwan did not rush to come out, but stayed in the storage box for another twenty minutes.
At this point, the surface temperature of the storage box had reached 33 degrees Celsius.
It was at this moment that Qi Mingyu suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Wait! The light on the coral polyp's tail has dimmed!"
Mu Mu looked closely and exclaimed, "Brother-in-law, look! That mucous membrane seems to be drying out!"
Visibly, the originally moist and shiny dark green mucous membrane gradually lost its luster and became somewhat whitish and hardened.
The fluorescent microorganisms also stopped moving, and the pale blue fluorescence at their tails had completely disappeared.
Mu Mu picked up the tweezers and peeled off a small piece of dried mucous membrane.
The exposed, lifeless corpses of microorganisms were densely packed on the surface of the alloy support, a truly shocking sight.
"How is this going!"
Qi Mingyu and Mu Mu's expressions became extremely solemn!