You have seen that simple, closed systems are capable of sustaining life for 2-1

Question

You have seen that simple, closed systems are capable of sustaining life for 2-10 years You have seen that Biosphere 2 could not sustain human life for 2 years without intervention. Consider the lessons learned from these systems in the following scenarios. What is the largest animal that could be sustained m Biosphere 2 for 10 years? Explain your reasoning considering life span, and carbon, water, and energy needs What modifications to the 1994 version of Biosphere 2 would need to be made to present oxygen levels from falling? Could an enclosed, sustainable space station be designed that could support human life for 2 years? Explain your reasoning lie as specific as possible regarding the carbon, water, and energy cycles.

Explanation / Answer

a) Well, first and foremost we have to take a look at the lifespans of all the animals that can easily be kept inside an enclosed ecosystem for 10 years. It would definitely be easier to keep a herbivore in an enclosed system which can easily feast upon the grasses and other shrubs and trees in the savannah, than a carnivore which would feeon herbivores and thus need and leave behind a bigger carbon footprint. An omnivore would be able to survive but only if it can adjust its diet to a predominantly non-vegetarian diet.

Considering these factors, I feel a camel or llama might be the best bet considering they have long lifespans (camels can live upto 50 years), utilize less water and can recycle them internally, are herbivores and will be able to survive in the foggy desert environment.

b) The concrete floors needed to be sealed to ensure that the oxygen levels did not fall to unsustainable levels by forming Calcium carbonate. The soil microbes contribution to lowering of oxygen levels by respiration should also be taken into account.

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