Biosphere 2 in Arizona

For anybody traveling through southern Arizona this place is not to be missed. Biosphere 2 is an earth systems science research facility built in the late 80's and early 90's. It's first use was for a 2 year experiment to see how humans and earth's eco-systems are able to function together and survive when recreated in an enclosed environment. It was and still now functions as a world class environment and soil research facility owned and operated by the University of Arizona. It also runs popular hourly tours with excellent and well informed tour guilds. The tourism aspect of biosphere 2 is now necessary as it was built as a privately funded project and was at one time threatened with demolition. It truly is a one of a kind place and a vital part of present day soil research as well as simulated environment experiments.

Visitors first encounter the newer resident area with sustainable designed houses which can be rented and are also used by visiting scientists and students.



They are beautifully designed to fit with in well with the desert landscape, are solar powered, and use simple aesthetically pleasing and effective rain water harvesting systems.

The walk through the village is very pleasant and comes with information plaques explaining some of the functions of the houses.




Around the lands surrounding the village and the research facility you can find interesting installations for a variety of eco friendly ideas. Below you can see bee condo for native species to make nest spaces. They also have simple instructions on how to make your own.

Neat information about ancient water harvesting and transport systems that are still used and effective today.

The rainforest system is wonderfully lush and fragrant and defiantly the most drastic change from the outside desert. The section is primarily to observe how water is absorbed by plants. The section, as with all the simulated ecosystems, is equipped with sensors to monitor every thing that goes on. Some of the actions they are able to implement and observe are, for example, a 30 day rainfall or a 30 drought. Each waterdroplet has its own unique fingerprint that they are able to track and see how and where the plants are storing and getting their water from during times of stress. 

Below is the ocean eco-system which, at one time, had a coral reef. It is used to simulate how increased levels of co2 in the air affects levels of salinity and what happens to the coral and fish life.

Below are the tangled web of mangroves which are incredibly important as they act as a kind of liver for the water systems.

This is the desert in bloom.

The biosphere was used twice in the 90's for its original purpose with humans living in the environment within the sealed dome. 8 scientists including a medical doctor were sealed in and lasted for the compete contract of 2 years plus 20 mins. During their first year there were struggles keeping up with recommended daily calorie intake and they lost on average 16% of their body weight. The second year saw an increase yearly yield of food production by 10 tons. The public was critical about less scientific experiments than predicted but the scientists within the biosphere found they needed to commit most of their days energy to production enough food to survive. Fortunately, the facility is now very much committed to some of the most unique and cutting edge soil and water distribution experiments in the world.

Below is small scale aquaponics system which grows with-out soil by using a fish fertilized water transfer. This system is placed in the desert area to see how aquaponics does in arid conditions. The biosphere is open to all levels of students and this was built by a local high school.

Towards the end of the tour there is an information and study area situated around the original inhabitants living quarters. Here you can see a design being tested for personal greenhouses with the aim of making enough food to support 1 human for use in outer-space and potential Mars missions as well as use in the arctic tundra.

The mechanical, water, and air movement systems that needed to be designed and built for the biosphere are incredible. The artificial lung is one of the most stunning pieces of equipment imaginable. The below room is huge - roughly the square measurements of a football field. The black part of the ceiling is a flexible material that allows the sealed biosphere to adjust to naturally occurring changes in air pressure. Without the functioning lung, the window pains would be blown out of their frames from the drastic changes air density. 

It was thrilling and humbling to experience this facility and gave a tactical sense of awe and respect to mankind's scientific pursuits. Thanks for taking us mom -