Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 (English Biosphere 2 ) is a 1991 erbauter building complex in Arizona, USA, with the aim of creating an independent from the outside world, in the original plan, sustaining themselves ecosystem. The experiment should prove that in a separate, closed ecological system life is possible in the long term. It is after two unsuccessful attempts have failed. Since 2007, the University of Arizona uses the complex for research and teaching.

Biosphere 2 was built by the billionaire Edward Bass for 200 million U.S. dollars. The project was monitored by NASA, which would evaluate the findings for possible manned bases on the Moon or Mars. The name " Biosphere 2 " is based on the idea of ​​creating a (small ) "second" biosphere, the original, the earth, "Biosphere 1".

• 3.1 Other projects and current state

Construction

Covering an area of ​​1.3 acres Arizona was north of Tucson, a closed ecosystem created between 1987 and 1989 under a dome with 6,500 panes of glass enclosing a volume of 204,000 cubic meters: savannah, ocean, tropical rain forest, mangrove swamp, desert, intensive agriculture and living rooms.

The technical effort ( pumps, filters, fans ) there was significant as a complete and self-contained life support system should be established. The relevant realization of long-term space travel or space colonies was as a long-term goal is also the subject of the experiment. In the various biotopes ( habitats in which to live beings ) also about 3800 different plant and animal species have been settled.

Course

First attempt 1991-1993

On September 26, 1991, the experiment began after several week-long preliminary experiments. Eight participants lived to 26 September 1993 and, two years and 20 minutes in the glass buildings with the aim to be complete from all outside contacts ( air and material exchange ) completed, except from natural sunlight and electric power supplied.

Over time, states that increasingly affected the lives of the residents as well as the other creatures were. For example, resulted from ecological point of view the following problems:

• The built- in design of reinforced concrete absorbed slowly ( via the detour of CO2 in the plant circuit) oxygen. And oxygen diffuses substantially faster from a glass dome as carbon dioxide, because it is a much smaller and lighter molecule.
• Parasitic microbes in the soil increased the amounts of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• The El Niño phenomenon led at times to smaller harvests of the crop.
• Cockroaches and a special ant ( Yellow Spinner ants) spread out extremely.

Contrary to the original concepts had to be supplied in the second year of oxygen from the outside to compensate for the absorbed from the concrete. After reorganization of management and scientific support were ( unlike before ) regularly samples also given ( by appropriate use of air locks remained the outside world conclusion largely preserved ).

Second attempt in 1994

A second group held in 1994 over six months in the artificial biosphere. During this time, the air, water and food for the people contained in it have been produced by ecosystems and recycled with a few exceptions.

Criticism of the conclusions of the experiment

The media has often spoken of a failure of the project. Nevertheless, resulting from this "failure" findings, which are likely to be valuable for future development and testing of artificial habitats. Even the realization that it is not readily possible to create a usable space for human life beyond Earth is regarded as an important outcome of the project.

• An aquarium with more than two meters in diameter needs up to six years continuous treatment until it does not constantly tilts from the ecological balance. Thus, the experimental period was too short.
• Also to many plants and animals to have been introduced from every continent more. One idea is to start with a few, effective plant varieties. This means, with a few species to ensure the production of oxygen and food production, rather than create a rather cumbersome and complicating diversity. For example, as Robert Zubrin, bumblebees are " the gutmütigeren bees" are good and good for pollination, otherwise could be found on insects initially largely dispense as these to multiply rapidly, such as the ants. (according to the source, " unlike in previous experiments in which was kept as low as possible the number of plants and animals, Biosphere 2 was more of an ideologically embellished botanical garden and less a habitat which initially serves only to survival. On 23 different types of soil there was a rain forest, a savannah, a marsh, a gravel desert and a desert. a sea with water cascades and corals belonged equally to the miniature world as the agricultural zone with goats, pigs and chickens. Added to this were the laboratory, the workshop, the computer room and the library. " )

Other projects and current state

In 1996, the Columbia University took over management of Biosphere 2 and used them for ecological research and teaching. Under the direction of Barry Osmond research findings on the effect of greenhouse gases were released. In 2002, the Columbia University examined the project again and decided to set it in late 2003 for cost reasons. The decor was from back in the possession of the builder, the oil billionaire Edward Bass. In 2007 bought CDO Ranching & Development, LP, Biosphere 2 for 50 million U.S. dollars. Pinal County announced plans to build 1,500 apartments and a theme hotel in the area, has this plan so far but not yet implemented. The University of Arizona was also indicated that they want to rent the facility for the study of global warming. With effect from 1 July 2011 CDO Ranching & Development donated the Biosphere 2, University of Arizona.

Movies

Jörg Seibold and Sibylle Trost ( 1993) " The Return of the Bionauten - Two years in a glass house "