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Didn't realise that, although beyond reading pulp SF, I've not done any kind of investigation into the subject!

How much carbon/coal would you need to support a colony of say, 5 people (+plants)?



If the plant material to support each person is drawing down 2 moles CO2 per hour (doubled from earlier calculations, because not all the carbon ends up in edible parts), then a tonne of carbon should supply the plants needed for 5 people for a year. By the end of the year, you've probably closed the loop, so the fixed carbon is returning to the air.




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