Happy New Year all you all!

I am doing a research project that involves investigating bacteria found in wetlands fed by artesian springs.

The good news is that I have not been able to culture anything that would grow at 37C
Everything that I have found will only grow at about 20C and slow growth at that.

So far I have isolated three or four species but have yet to identify the little critters.
I have been growing them out on Nutrient Agar and Broth, trying to generate enough culture material to subject them to the standard biochemical tests.

I could sure use some help from anyone that can provide some suggestions as to culture media and identification techniques above and beyond what I find in Bergey’s.

I have been thinking about using the water from the spring to mix the media hoping that it would facilitate growth – under the “there’s no place like home” hypothesis.

One cultures smells a lot like acetic acid, another is a vibrant yellow, and a third forms a hard covering “s h e l l ”. (forgive the spaces ... but the "cussword" editor does not like this word)

I would sure like to communicate with someone with more knowledge in this field.