Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2 is a project initiated by a Mr. Bass. The part of it most people have heard of it “The Man Project,” in which four men and four women successfully lived within this closed environment where everything was used and recycled. They grew crops, had animals (the pigs were soon slaughtered, but the goats and chickens were used for their products), and maintained the machinery that controlled their air, humidity and pressure. After two years inside, the project was deemed a success. Later, Columbia University entered into an agreement to use the facility for research, which they did for a number of years. We were told the University reneged on the agreement, leaving Biosphere 2’s future up in the air. They have not been able to find anyone else who can afford to take Columbia’s place so far.

Biosphere 2 contains a rainforest, desert, savanna, marsh and ocean (a million gallons of seawater complete with a living coral reef). Each is a biome, a self-sustaining community of living organisms. Underneath, a 500-ton stainless steel liner separates it from the Earth. The white domes through the glass in the photo above are air-volume control devices containing a giant membrane to accommodate changing air pressure/temperature.

For a better "Lung" photo and others click here- http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/d3loeber/Tucson/Biosphere%202/