February 2007.............

Tucson: Biosphere 2: Thirty miles North of Tucson, a 3.5 acre complex that contains a 7,200,000 cubic ft sealed glass and space-frame structure. It contains five biomes - a 900,000 gal ocean, a rain forest, a desert, agricultural areas and a human habitat. It was built in the late 80's and financed by Texas oilman Edward Bass.The cost was between $160,000,000. and $200,000,000. In 1991 eight people were sealed into the structure for two years to see if they could survive in a self contained atmosphere. There were various problems, to much carbon-dioxide, not enough time for research because it took all their time just to grow food and maintain the facility, and depending on which article one reads, many other problems. After they emerged in 1993 a second crew entered the facility for another two year stay. After six months Mr. Bass called off the experiment and leased the facility to Columbia University for fourteen years. A $10,000,000. conference center and student apartments were constructed, and the air lock was breached. After seven years the university walked away from the agreement and was sued by the Biosphere management company. Depending on what you read the Biosphere 2 was either the laughing stock of scientific research or a facility that produced some good results. Today it's for sale, for an undisclosed amount and it's being used as a tourist attraction. It appears to be fairly well maintained, but is starting to show some rust and age. No research has been done at the facility for several years. It's well worth your time and $18.(seniors) to go see it.

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