OT: Carbon Dioxide races -> known vs unknown -> terraforming mars -> is or is not

[Taera]

Im wondering here, in my RP's im running the Taera as CO2 breathing races - how good would these fare on the classical oxygen planet, like Earth is? Do they need complete enviromental outfit or would breathing enchancers be enough? What do you think? because im at loss

[ July 18, 2003, 00:42: Message edited by: Taera ]

[Arkcon]

When I was a kid, I was excited to hear that Mars has oxygen in its atmosphere. I thought people could live there without a pressure suit. Unfortuneately, the atmosphere on Mars is real thin. And Earth's atmosphere is only fraction of a percent of CO2. The Taera are going to need spacesuits.

[deccan]

You know I've been thinking that we don't really know what a real CO2 breathing species would be like. After all, even plants aren't real CO2 breathing species are they? They create energy through photosynthesis sure, but they still burn it up with oxygen.

[Suicide Junkie]

As long as the pressure and temperature are reasonable, a breather should do for short periods or moderate emergencies.
You'll need something like a diving drysuit if the chemical composition is physically harmful or toxic (eg chlorine, mercury)

[Loser]

Suffocation isn't the only risk. Unlike the effect carbon dioxide has on you, displaces oxygen and is more or less inert, oxygen (O2) is a caustic substance and fire hazard. If your CO2 race is not from a planet with large amounts of oxygen their equipment will need special treatment, their skin may become irritated, begin breaking down in a messy leprous goo, or simply burst into flames.

Like any hazardous environment suit a positive pressure would need to be maintained in the suit. This will keep the potentially toxic outside gases from getting at the skin of mucous membranes of the subject. Additionally, some amount of exo-skeletal support may be required to deal with higher gravity.

[TerranC]

Originally posted by Loser:
Suffocation isn't the only risk. Unlike the effect carbon dioxide has on you, displaces oxygen and is more or less inert, oxygen (O2) is a caustic substance and fire hazard. If your CO2 race is not from a planet with large amounts of oxygen their equipment will need special treatment, their skin may become irritated, begin breaking down in a messy leprous goo, or simply burst into flames.

Thank God for domed colonies.

Edit: Then another question for you atmosphere experts: What would happen to an Oxygen breather in a Hydrogen-Atmosphere or a Methane-Atmosphere planet that has the same gravity as earth and atmosphere pressure as earth?

[ July 15, 2003, 14:04: Message edited by: TerranC ]