In the early 1990s, a major experiment was conducted where a closed environment, similar to Earth, was created. Although the experiment was not successful, this project remains an intriguing and controversial topic in the field of science. Biosphere 2 is a science research facility that was built in Arizona, USA. Between 1987 and 1991, this Biosphere 2 was constructed over 3.14 acres at a cost of approximately 200 million USD, making it the world’s largest artificial closed ecosystem. Along with 8 crew members, the purpose of Biosphere 2 was to demonstrate human life and ecosystems in an isolated environment, possibly in outer space or on another planet. The names of these 8 crew members, or biospherians, were Mark Van Thillo, Roy Walford, Abigail Alling, Linda Leigh, Jane Poynter, Sally Silverstone, Mark Nelson, and Taber MacCallum.
The founders of this project were Edward Bass (an American philanthropist and environmentalist) and John P. Allen (a systems ecologist). Together with a group of scientists, they initiated this project and named it Biosphere 2. The concept of the terrarium design came to John P. Allen in the 1980s when he was the director of Space Biosphere Ventures. In a joint venture, they identified a suitable location in 1984 to establish the property. Its construction was completed in 1989, and the structure was divided into three main sections. These sections included an airtight glass enclosure at the top, a technosphere built underground, and an area designated for human habitation. Now, let’s explore the measurements and key design aspects of this Biosphere.
Measurement and Key Design:
Glass and Steel Structure: The main structure of Biosphere 2 spanned up to 204,000 cubic meters, sealed with the help of 6,500 glass panels, and supported by stainless steel frames, with a maximum height of about 91 feet or 27.7 meters. Due to the transparency of the glass, sunlight could penetrate inside during the day, which helped maintain balance within the inner ecosystem.
Air-Tight Sealing: The most crucial aspect of Biosphere 2 was its air-tight sealing design. This design was made to ensure it was a completely closed system, where no outside air or water would enter, nor would the inner environment escape. The project’s goal was to maintain an isolated atmosphere, which might be necessary for humans in outer space.
Biomes and Zones: Biosphere 2 consisted of several distinct biomes. The term “biome” refers to specific geographical areas or regions, containing particular climates, plant life, and animal life. The biomes within Biosphere 2 included…
- a) Rainforest Biome, which spanned an area of up to 1,900 square meters.
- b) Ocean Biome, extending up to 850 square meters, containing 900,000 gallons of saltwater.
- c) Desert Biome or arid climate area, covering up to 1,400 square meters.
- d) Savanna Biome: Savanna means some grasslands in Africa where the land is filled with grass, and there are a few bushes and a tree or two far apart. Due to the distance between the large trees, the land receives full sunlight. This is exactly the environment of the Savanna Biome.
- e) Mangrove Wetlands Biome, where research was conducted on the interaction of waterways and mangrove species.
- f) Agriculture Biome, where the biospherians cultivated crops for environmental control.
- g) Human habitat or the living area used by the biospherians or crew members.
Technosphere and Infrastructure:
Beneath or underground Biosphere 2, there is a series of mechanical and technical systems known as the “Technosphere.” This system helps manage climate control, air handling, water flow, waste management, and monitoring within those biomes or the entire Biosphere 2.
Biosphere 2 had two “lungs.” How so? Due to air pressure changes within the sealed structure, there were two large and flexible “lungs” or variable volume chambers inside Biosphere 2. These domes or lungs expanded and contracted to balance the internal temperature of Biosphere 2 with the temperature changes between day and night.
Measurements and Key Design:
Oxygen and CO2 Levels: Initially, Biosphere 2 was designed to maintain Earth’s atmospheric conditions, with oxygen levels inside expected to remain at 21%. However, during the study, it was observed that oxygen levels gradually dropped to around 14%. It is assumed that this decrease was due to microbial activity in the soil absorbing oxygen and the crew members’ respiration.
On the other hand, CO2 levels fluctuated during the experiment, as the plants inside the system tried to maintain their balance. This was a major focus for long-term studies, particularly concerning climate change and ecosystem balance.
Water System: The ocean biome contained 900,000 gallons or 3.4 million liters of water, used for studying the coral reef and marine ecosystems. This water system included water recycling facilities designed to purify wastewater and sustain the inner ecosystem.
Energy: The entire system was powered externally using natural gas and electricity. You might wonder, didn’t it claim to be a completely closed system with no external air, water, or anything else? Well, the electricity input was necessary to maintain environmental controls. Temperature, humidity, and light conditions were meticulously managed using electricity.
Biological Diversity: At the beginning of the Biosphere 2 experiment, efforts were made to sustain the lifecycle and reproductive processes with over 3,800 species of plants and animals. However, it was observed that the number of some species significantly decreased over time, while some species proliferated. This imbalance made it difficult to maintain the ecosystem accurately.
Conclusion:
Biosphere 2 is recognized as a monumental scientific effort that aimed to recreate Earth’s ecosystem in a sealed, controlled environment. Although the original experiment faced significant challenges like declining oxygen levels, species imbalances, and the complexity of creating a self-sustaining habitat, it provided an important and clear understanding. Today, Biosphere 2 functions as a research facility, advancing our comprehension of climate change and ecosystem stability. It also sheds light on the challenges of sustaining life in isolated environments on Earth or in space and stands as a testament to humanity’s curiosity, innovation, and perseverance in facing scientific challenges.
What’s happening inside Biosphere 2 today:
Biosphere 2 is functioning as a research center. Owned by the University of Arizona, this facility is testing how different ecosystems respond to factors like drought, rising temperatures, and CO2 levels. Current projects include studying drought conditions in the rainforest biome and the effects of ocean acidification in the ocean biome. These studies are helping scientists understand Earth’s environmental challenges and providing valuable insights for future space exploration.
That’s all for today. Best wishes to all of you from Sci-fi Note. Stay well, keep the environment healthy, and maintain your love for science. Thank you.
