Biosphere Blues

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Biosphere 2, the $150 million environmental experiment hyped as a "self- sustaining ecosystem," ended its trial run last fall but continues to be plagued by the sort of embarrassing incident that characterized its rocky two years in the media spotlight. Last week two former crew members -- both of whom had recently been suspended from their jobs with the project -- were arrested for breaking into the sealed Oracle, Arizona, enclosure to let outside air in.

Past highlights of the Biosphere:

Sept. 26, 1991

Four men and four women (dubbed "bionauts") enter Biosphere 2 to live with 3,800 species of plants and animals for two years.

Sept. 27

A computer engineer critical of the project resigns.

Oct. 11

A bionaut injures her finger and leaves briefly for emergency surgery.

November

Project officials admit that just before the crew entered the enclosure, a carbon dioxide scrubber was installed to maintain acceptable air quality.

Dec. 19

A director of the Biosphere acknowledges that oxygen was pumped into the complex after leakage occurred.

Jan. 4, 1992

^ It is revealed that the injured crew member brought back supplies.

July

A report delivered by an advisory committee criticizes the project for lack of a serious scientific agenda.

February 1993

Eleven members of the advisory committee resign.

Sept. 26

Crew leaves the Biosphere.

March 6, 1994

A second crew enters the Biosphere.

April 1

Top project officials are accused of mismanagement and suspended by financial backer and billionaire Edward Bass.

April 6

Two former bionauts are arrested for breaking into the Biosphere but claim they did so out of concern for the current crew members. Losses are placed at $80,000 -- mostly due to lost tourist revenues as a result of the incident.