What are Biospheres?
*see reference 1 and 2
A biosphere is a place where life can exist and survive in a healthy environment.
Biosphere models have been developed in order to solve enviromental issues on Earth.
Scientists at Biospheric Design Division have led in the development of ecologically themed structures. They have biosphere projects in seven countries. For example, the first real biosphere to be lived in was "Biosphere 2" with a crew of 8 people from 1991-1993.
Biosphere 2 Design History: 1991-1992
Biosphere 2's architects, received the top Special Award in the Pacific Rim 1992 Gold Nugget Awards contest for the best architectural design in the Commercial/Industrial Public or Private Special Use Facility category. The Biosphere 2 project judges said: "This project is a leading edge experiment which may give direction on how to cope with future environmental issues that will have an increasing impact on the home-building industry in the coming decades."
The health of the crew was excellent including, blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and other measurements were better than before entry into Biosphere 2, greatly because of their healthy diet, eating food from crops grown right in the biosphere itself.
Leak tests were also done to assure that the model was sealed tightly. Also, during the experimental timeArizona experienced very cloudy seasonal conditons which blocked the sun's energy neeeded for photsynthesis. This caused an increase in carbon dioxide levels and air quality issues for the model. Although this problem occured, the biospheric conditions were even healthy enough for a baby primate to be born, called a "Galago!"
January 13, 1993—Oxygen was added to Biosphere 2 to bring its atmosphere level back to 19%. This was intentional. Allowing the oxygen levels to drop slowly to 14.5%, (about equal to the oxygen in air found at an altitude of around 13,400 feet) was done in order to study a human ’s ability to tolerate falling levels of oxygen. This part of the Biosphere 2 experiment showed that the Biospherians reacted well to oxygen levels of 16%- 19%. This discovery has major implications in undersea and planetary explorations. For example there have already been blueprint designs for biospheres on the planet Mars.
February 1, 1993— The development of agriculture within the model was highly productive (eight humans fed from one half acre or 0.2 hectare). In a non-polluting agriculture system was one of the top successes of Biosphere 2.
In this chemical-free system all human and domestic animal waste products were recycled and composted and used for dozens of crop varieties to provide nutritional balance. The crew had produced approximately 80% of their food. The other 20% was drawn from a three month supply of food that was grown inside the facility before the experiment began and from seed reserve.
Biosphere models have been developed in order to solve enviromental issues on Earth.
Scientists at Biospheric Design Division have led in the development of ecologically themed structures. They have biosphere projects in seven countries. For example, the first real biosphere to be lived in was "Biosphere 2" with a crew of 8 people from 1991-1993.
Biosphere 2 Design History: 1991-1992
Biosphere 2's architects, received the top Special Award in the Pacific Rim 1992 Gold Nugget Awards contest for the best architectural design in the Commercial/Industrial Public or Private Special Use Facility category. The Biosphere 2 project judges said: "This project is a leading edge experiment which may give direction on how to cope with future environmental issues that will have an increasing impact on the home-building industry in the coming decades."
The health of the crew was excellent including, blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and other measurements were better than before entry into Biosphere 2, greatly because of their healthy diet, eating food from crops grown right in the biosphere itself.
Leak tests were also done to assure that the model was sealed tightly. Also, during the experimental timeArizona experienced very cloudy seasonal conditons which blocked the sun's energy neeeded for photsynthesis. This caused an increase in carbon dioxide levels and air quality issues for the model. Although this problem occured, the biospheric conditions were even healthy enough for a baby primate to be born, called a "Galago!"
January 13, 1993—Oxygen was added to Biosphere 2 to bring its atmosphere level back to 19%. This was intentional. Allowing the oxygen levels to drop slowly to 14.5%, (about equal to the oxygen in air found at an altitude of around 13,400 feet) was done in order to study a human ’s ability to tolerate falling levels of oxygen. This part of the Biosphere 2 experiment showed that the Biospherians reacted well to oxygen levels of 16%- 19%. This discovery has major implications in undersea and planetary explorations. For example there have already been blueprint designs for biospheres on the planet Mars.
February 1, 1993— The development of agriculture within the model was highly productive (eight humans fed from one half acre or 0.2 hectare). In a non-polluting agriculture system was one of the top successes of Biosphere 2.
In this chemical-free system all human and domestic animal waste products were recycled and composted and used for dozens of crop varieties to provide nutritional balance. The crew had produced approximately 80% of their food. The other 20% was drawn from a three month supply of food that was grown inside the facility before the experiment began and from seed reserve.
Credits
I'm a student at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, my name is Karina Curbelo and my science teacher, Ms. Ferraiolo helped me with this research. Without her i wouldn't of been able to have succeeded in this project. Also my math teacher, Mr. Enos, helped me with the technology of creating this website. I would also like to acknowledge my mother who helped me obtain the materials to create the biosphere models as well as help construct them.