Biosphere 2

Our last day in Tucson we decide to go see Biosphere 2 before leaving.  The size of two and a half football fields, it remains the largest closed system ever created.  The sealed structure allowed scientists to monitor the continually changing chemistry of the air, water and soil contained within. Health of the human crew was monitored by a medical doctor inside and an outside medical team.

Biosphere 2 contained a 1,900 square meter rain forest, an 850 square meter ocean with a coral reef, a 450 square meter mangrove wetlands, a 1,300 square meter savannah grassland, a 1,400 square meterfog desert , a 2,500 square meter agricultural system, a human habitat, and a below-ground level technical infrastructure.

Biosphere 2 had two closure experiments, Missions 1 and 2. The first, with a crew of eight people, ran for two years from 1991 to 1993. Following a six month transition period during which researchers entered the facility through airlock doors and conducted research and system engineering improvements, a second closure with a crew of seven people was conducted March 1994 – September 1994.

Just building this place was a major feat

There was once upon a time a white sand beach but the wave machine broke down and when they  turned it back on after repairs there was a minor Tsunami and it washed out the beach.

We got to go into the depths of it.

This is actually the "breathing" system for the Biosphere.  Sun during the day expanded the air and the cool nights condensed it.  This large diaphram acted like a set of lungs.

You can see how much air was released as we exited the room.

During the 1st experiment about 2 years into the experiment, one of the inhabitants cut off the tip of a finger.  The resident doctor advised them to go to a hospital or risk infection or worse.  They were let out, taken to the Hospital and returned a few hours later.  The Press declared the experiment a failure because of it.

Till Later!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary &  Tucson