Critics have long contended that the Biosphere II project in the Arizona desert was more showmanship and cultism than science, despite its assertions to the contrary. Allegations of misrepresentation involve a device that removes carbon dioxide from the air and turns it into a solid for storage inside the Biosphere. The new study is based on data collected by NASA scientists during their mission to Mars in 1997. A Biosphere spokesman said the group had installed a carbon dioxide remover but called it a minor aid for initial stabilization, adding there was no obligation to disclose all details of work in progress.
Critics have long contended that the Biosphere II project in the Arizona desert was more showmanship and cultism than science, despite its assertions to the contrary. Allegations of misrepresentation involve a device that removes carbon dioxide from the air and turns it into a solid for storage inside the Biosphere. A newspaper states the group secretly installed the device, violating the goal of recycling all materials naturally. A Biosphere spokesman said the group had installed a carbon dioxide remover but called it a minor aid for initial stabilization, adding there was no obligation to disclose all details of work in progress.