Synthesis of biomass and utilization of plants wastes in a physical model of biological life-support system

• Published in: Acta astronautica Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 249 - 257
• Main Authors: Tikhomirov, A.A., Ushakova, S.A., Manukovsky, N.S., Lisovsky, G.M., Kudenko, Yu.A., Kovalev, V.S., Gribovskaya, I.V., Tirranen, L.S., Zolotukhin, I.G., Gros, J.B., Lasseur, Ch
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2003
• Subjects: Agaricales - growth & development; Agaricales - metabolism; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomass; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Ecological Systems, Closed; Environmental Microbiology; Hydroponics; Incineration; Life Support Systems; Photosynthesis; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Raphanus - growth & development; Raphanus - metabolism; Space Flight; Triticum - growth & development; Triticum - metabolism; Triticum aestivum; Waste Management - methods; Weightlessness
• ISSN: 0094-5765; 1879-2030
• DOI: 10.1016/S0094-5765(03)80002-4

The paper considers problems of biosynthesis of higher plants' biomass and “biological incineration” of plant wastes in a working physical model of biological LSS. The plant wastes are “biologically incinerated” in a special heterotrophic block involving Californian worms, mushrooms and straw. The block processes plant wastes (straw, haulms) to produce soil-like substrate (SLS) on which plants (wheat, radish) are grown. Gas exchange in such a system consists of respiratory gas exchange of SLS and photosynthesis and respiration of plants. Specifics of gas exchange dynamics of high plants — SLS complex has been considered. Relationship between such a gas exchange and PAR irradiance and age of plants has been established. Nitrogen and iron were found to the first to limit plants' growth on SLS when process conditions are deranged. The SLS microflora has been found to have different kinds of ammonifying and denitrifying bacteria which is indicative of intensive transformation of nitrogen-containing compounds. The number of physiological groups of microorganisms in SLS was, on the whole, steady. As a result, organic substances — products of exchange of plants and microorganisms were not accumulated in the medium, but mineralized and assimilated by the biocenosis. Experiments showed that the developed model of a man-made ecosystem realized complete utilization of plant wastes and involved them into the intrasystem turnover.