Difference between revisions of "Air"

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[[Image:carbon_cycle_simplified.png|thumb|right|300px|Breathing keeps the Carbon Cycle running]]
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Settlers on [[Mars]] depend on artificial '''air''' for breathing, since the [[atmosphere]] is too thin and poisonous.
 
Settlers on [[Mars]] depend on artificial '''air''' for breathing, since the [[atmosphere]] is too thin and poisonous.
  

Revision as of 13:57, 2 March 2018

Breathing keeps the Carbon Cycle running

Settlers on Mars depend on artificial air for breathing, since the atmosphere is too thin and poisonous.

Low pressure effects

The human breathing works best at terrestrial sea level with an air pressure of 1013 Hektopascal (hPa). The air pressure on the Mount Everest is only 340 hPa.

In such high altitudes of the terrestrial atmosphere the air pressure drops to dangerous values, resulting in acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

Oxygen reduction for fire prevention

The terrestrial atmosphere contains 21% oxygen, which is the value that human beings have adapted to during a long evolution process. But there is some tolerance. Under normal air pressure persons can live and work with down to 13% oxygen. The danger of fire is much lower in a low oxygen air. With 15% oxygen even paper can no longer burn with a flame. [1]

Open Issues

  • What air pressure, combined with different oxygen levels, is required for persons to survive?
  • What air pressure, combined with different oxygen levels, is required for persons to live and work?
  • What are the results from the Biosphere 2 experiment? Ideas for mitigation and/or compensation?
  • What is known about the behaviour of dusty air under low gravity?

References