Control of CO₂ in Closed Ecosystems Using Photosynthetic Organisms and Material Science Solution
The accumulation of CO₂ in closed ecological systems (CES) remains a critical challenge for sustainability and habitability, as exemplified by historical experiments like Biosphere 2. This study proposes an innovative approach integrating photosynthetic organisms—diatoms, cyanobacteria, and algae—with inert ceramic materials to address CO₂ accumulation while promoting system stability. A mathematical model was developed to simulate CO₂ dynamics and biomass growth, validated experimentally using a small-scale chamber. Experimental results demonstrated a 45% reduction in CO₂ concentration, stabilizing at 440 ppm after 10 days, alongside a 15% increase in biomass. Ceramic materials showed no measurable interaction with CO₂, confirming their inert properties under humid conditions. These findings validate the theoretical predictions and underscore the system's potential for scalability and adaptability. This work lays the foundation for applications in extraterrestrial habitats, urban sustainability projects, and advanced CES designs. Future research will focus on extending experimental durations, exploring variations in initial conditions, and optimizing light and nutrient availability to further enhance system performance.
Publication Details
- Journal
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Published
- 2024-11-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14247877
- Primary Topic
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00