We discovered Arizona had a Biodome we had to see. Initially, I thought it was a more scientifically based recreation of earth and its ability to support life in an enclosed space. However, after our visit we’d learned that it was a fairly naive attempt at doing so by a sort of hippy group of independent thinkers. It’s architectural structure was impressive for its day and it certainly could have added to science if its records weren’t destroyed to cover up dishonesty that it was really only able to support life for a few months. But, it certainly is a challenge to think about, if ever life could be self-sustainable in an enclosed space, say on Mars. Today the facility is owned by Arizona university and carries out various science experiments. Unable to re-attempt, as it is quiet contaminated with mold now. Here are a few pics.
Originally used for food crops.
Data collection out buildings
Power generators. Two fuel sources.
The lung. Out building connected for air expansion.
Dessert area. Mediterranean added for diversity.
Mangroves. Ocean that had coral reef, and Rainforest…
Some of the major reasons it failed was; the glass windows cut down a lot of the sun needed for photosynthesis and it was a cloudy year, the cement was absorbing a lot of the oxygen, and the soil had too much organic material decaying. All the above, creating high CO2 and low levels of oxygen. Lack of “nitrogen”caused poor legumes crop production too. They began using CO2 scrubbers to bring down CO2 within just a few months. The participants, quote unquote, researchers, inside, did not have very much oxygen to breath. It was hoped they would adapt like those living at higher altitudes with less oxygen. By 14 months their health was so poor, along with starvation, left with only beets and sweet potatoes to eat, that they secretly added oxygen to the facility. Their goal was 2 years.
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