The World In A Nutshell

In 1992 eight researchers, volunteered to be sealed up in a huge three acre model of the earth for two straight years. Separated from the outside world and completely dependent on their environment for food, water and oxygen, what could possibly go wrong? Almost sounds like the beginning of a Steven King novel, but this was one of the greatest experiments and engineering feats devised by man. Known as Biosphere 2 it was named #2 because we’re living in Biosphere 1, our planet. Complete with diverse habitats, ranging from the desert to the rainforest and including the world’s largest indoor ocean, it seemed they had thought of everything needed to explore life on our planet. There was even speculation that this form of living could be used in space exploration.

The first year was a rough one on the Biospherians, the name given to researchers, as the crops didn’t grow as well as they thought. Most team members complained of hunger, even though they had an orchard containing, papayas, bananas, beans, sweet potato and rice just to name a few items. By the second year their bodies had adjusted to the diet and their weight had stabilized. At day 500, an interesting development started to happen because of the rich soil. The bacteria that live in the soil gave off more Co2 than the plants could consume. This created an oxygen content of 14%, outside air contains 21%. The change in environment led to the death of smaller mammals and some aquatic life as well as some plants. This then lead to an over growth of certain plants that blocked the sunshine and an increase in insects like cockroaches and ants. The researchers on the outside decided they needed to increase the oxygen inside, but did so in secret, which as you could imagine led to a lot of trouble at the end, as the experiment was seen as a failure by many.

A second experiment was done after the first had ended. This experiment had ten people and only lasted six months and was deemed a success. By then the public had lost interest. Columbia University took over operations and used the model to determine how much Co2 our oceans could withstand before the coral reefs and marine life perished. If you speak to some of the researchers working there today you’ll get a heated reply. To them Columbia basically, killed off the reef and marine life, got their answers and abandoned Biosphere 2. The University of Arizona has taken over Biosphere 2 and only now are they being able to see progress in bringing life back to the ocean.

The University of Arizona is using Biosphere 2 as a teaching tool for both students and the public. They have started new experiments including the very popular Lunar Greenhouse, which seeks to understand how to grow vegetables on the Moon and Mars, using a bioregenerative life support system. Vertical farming is also being studied there as a controlled environmental project, that seeks to create a zero run off farm with no pest or pesticides. I really enjoyed my visit to Biosphere 2 and was simply amazed at the engineering of it all. The entire three acre structure is completely sealed off from the earth. It sits on a huge piece of stainless steel! The ‘lungs” of the place are made using forty thousand pounds of flexible rubber to create a diaphragm that is attached to two giant aluminum disks that contract and expand depending on the inside air pressure. That is some very innovative thinking! If you like science and the earth or just wonder what it might feel like to live on another planet one day, then Biosphere 2 would be a great trip for you. Located about 25 miles outside of Tucson at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Oracle, Arizona.

I have to say that after visiting I was extremely hungry! I’m not sure if it was all the walking or maybe the oxygen rich environment. Whatever the cause I’d be remiss in leaving without giving you a couple good places to eat after your visit. Lepe’s Fine Mexican Restaurant isn’t far from Biosphere 2 and has been around for many years. If you’d like some Greek food, “It’s Greek To Me”, is an excellent option. It serves a variety of freshly prepared Greek food in the middle of the desert. It’s fairly new and gets 4.5 stars on Yelp. I ate there but honestly I didn’t take a single picture because I was way to hungry, sorry! The meal was delicious though.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the box below. If you’ve been to Biosphere 2 and have anything to share please do so! Until next time Boone Appétit!