Biosphere 2 is located on just over three acres in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Completed in 1991, the structure reaches 91 feet at its highest point and features a glass and steel frame that blocks most UVA and UVB radiation. It remains the world’s largest controlled environment for studying how ecosystems respond to environmental change.
Image Credit: Strongwell Corporation
Inside Biosphere 2 is the Marine Mesocosm, a one-million-gallon ocean system built to replicate a Caribbean reef environment.
Supported by mechanical systems, it has been used to study how ocean ecosystems have responded to environmental shifts during the ice ages, periods of global change, and projected future conditions. Over the years, scientists have collected long-term data on photosynthesis and calcification rates within this controlled ocean environment.
Image Credit: Strongwell Corporation
Today, the Marine Mesocosm is part of a multinational revitalization effort focused on identifying scalable solutions for coral reef restoration. More than 60 aquatic species have been introduced into the system to help researchers explore effective strategies for implanting and rebuilding essential reef structures.
Source: Strongwell Corporation
| Technical data |
| Product: |
Coral Reef Habitat Lighting Truss System |
| Process: |
Pultrusion, Fabrication |
| Materials & Sizes: |
- EXTREN® Series 525 Structural
Shapes:
- Channel, square tube, plate, angle, I-beam
- DURAGRID® Pultruded Grating
- SAFRAIL™ Railing System: 1.9" Round
|
| For: |
Frost Engineering & Consulting |
| User: |
University of Arizona Biosphere 2 |
Lighting plays a critical role in controlling algae growth and maintaining the health of the reef systems. Since the facility's location differs significantly in latitude from the Caribbean, supplemental lighting was necessary to simulate an accurate environment for the raceway-based reef systems. To achieve this, nearly 300 halogen and LED lights were installed, along with a custom support structure to handle the wiring, equipment, and access needs.
Frost Engineering and Consulting was brought in to design and deliver a 4000-square-foot lighting truss system. Their solution combined EXTREN® fiberglass (FRP) structural shapes and plate in conjuction with stainless steel columns, baseplates, and anchorage. The final system includes three 60-foot-long, 6-foot-deep built-up and field-spliced pultruded FRP trusses, along with 24-inch-deep girt beams and cantilevered catwalks.
The design met all requirements set by the International Building Code (IBC), the City of Tucson, and the standards outlined in ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC 360, and ASCE 74.
Preparing for light installation. Image Credit: Strongwell Corporation
Image Credit: Strongwell Corporation
During Fabrication / Pre-assembly. Image Credit: Strongwell Corporation
From initial design to final installation, the project was completed in under 18 months, with full installation finalized by the second quarter of 2025. The upgraded materials, combined with supporting abiotic systems, are expected to provide decades of maintenance-free operation for the Marine Mesocosm.
This information has been sourced, reviewed, and adapted from materials provided by Strongwell Corporation.
For more information on this source, please visit Strongwell Corporation.