Habitat Contamination - Warning: Rambling Ahead!

>> Well, in fairness, I don't think he was talking about introducing
>> them on purpose. It was more of 'if we do these other things
>> right, then the bugs won't be as much of a problem if they do get
>> in.'
>> Um... do I understand you, guy?

I just read PanamaBob's latest post. I got the point (yea!).

> I wonder how they would be introduced by accident.

People tramping in and out all the time.

> Consider:
>
> The pressure shell is completed. The oxygen comes from Lunar
> resources, the Nitrogen from NEO ammonia, the CO2 from NEO methane.

Water from NEO's or Lunar poles. Yes.

> Sterile so far.
>
> The dirt comes from slag.
>
> Still sterile.

Yep.

> Now we introduce bio-organisms to make slag into soil. Be very
> careful here.

Very careful indeed. And in the very first, we might not have
access to the NEO's.

> Now plant seeds. Again be very careful.

This may not be doable at this level of caution for a price that
anybody cares to pay... unless we follow your idea from the end of
your post.

> Start introducing different species when you know that the soil
> can support them, and then later when the vegitation can support
> them.

Yes, but the trick is to NOT introduce the things that you do not
want. Actually, I think that this can be done rather well (though
perfection I doubt).

> You see, it's not like we'll ship up 5,000 tons of soil with
> everything in it, and then ship up 5,000 tons of butterflies,
> 5,000 tons of worms, etc.

Well, if worms and butterflies are needed, we will ship them up.
Again, starting years ahead will help.

> Just as I wondered in my "Plant Nursery in Space" Post I wonder
> how long it'll take to ramp up this whole process, and if it would
> be wise to start the nurturing years before the pressure vessel is
> sealed.
>
> TangoMan

Perhaps to feed the folks at the lunar/NEO facilities, hotels,
military facilities, etc. This could give a decade or more to weed
out (literally!) pests.

Xenophile (who still thinks a lot of biomass will be brought up from
Earth)