In an enclosed environment like Augury, air quality is critical. The Aether department monitors the state of the interior atmosphere, maintaining balance between conditions like temperature, humidity, and pressure. They also keep a close eye on irritants, pollution, and toxic gasses, maintaining a daily Air Quality Index of never higher than 50, to ensure that even immuno-compromised individuals can breathe without irritation.

 

Aether's most crucial function is to balance the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide by reoxygenating constantly to compensate for human respiration. Access to sufficient oxygen improves cleansing and tissue repair in the body and helps them exchange gasses more easily. Insufficient oxygen supply can result in serious health problems, but too much oxygen can cause issues as well. Reoxygenation is primarily achieved by algae and phytoplankton tanks, in which case Aether works closely with Demeter.

 

An eligible candidate to head Aether would be an air quality specialist, H.V.A.C. technician, or another individual with relevant proficiency and qualification. The Aether department will employ a team of any combination of H.V.A.C. technicians, air quality scientists, plumbers, electricians, and thermodynamic engineers as necessary.

Step 4; Aether Phase 1: Local Atmosphere

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Once the exterior structure is confirmed to be airtight, we need to start thinking about a local atmosphere in a closed system. Not only is the composition (and pollution) of the local atmosphere important, but the pressure and temperature as well, to promote good physical health. Breathing clean air can lessen the possibility of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer as well as chronic and acute respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Lower levels of air pollution are better for heart and respiratory health both long- and short-term.

 

Microalgae Reoxygenation

A single adult exhales about 2.3 pounds of carbon dioxide on an average day, an amount which would take more than 700 mature houseplants (or around 17 thousand leaves) to scrub and replace that with oxygen. Though Augury will have wide-open atriums and greenspaces, 700 plants per person just isn’t feasible—and carbon dioxide becomes lethal at just 5% concentration. To reoxygenate for an entire city of people, we need cyanobacteria, algae, and phytoplankton, which produce most of the oxygen in our atmosphere. Through natural photosynthesis, marine cyanobacteria algae can remove toxic gasses like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides, with a success rate of over 98%. The algae metabolizes these gasses and infuses oxygen into the filtered air, even more effectively than trees. For an even diffusion of gasses, I recommend having a piping system throughout Augury (with full spectrum LED lighting) of algae solution and strategically placed bubblers to intake air. Facilities for adding additional nutrients, removing waste, and processing purified air would be maintained by Aether. Augury’s population will have to be carefully controlled so as to not overwhelm oxygenator systems, and emergency intake vents to the surface should always be maintained. Aether will also maintain a network of sensors city-wide to monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels. Consider also having emergency oxygen storage tanks—though this is a distinct fire hazard, and intake vents may be sufficient.

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Hyperbaric Local Atmosphere

At the proposed ocean depth for Augury (30 to 40 meters), the water pressure is between 4 and 5 atmospheres, which is 4 to 5 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level, or 59 to 73 pounds per square inch. By maintaining a similar level of air pressure inside, Aether could reduce strain on the exterior walls and windows, and ease the transition between interior and ocean. This would be extremely beneficial to the longevity of the structure, as it would reduce leaks and breaches and therefore reduce water damage over time. However, this means that visitors to the city will have to slowly descend into the city to allow time to decompress, and the strength of the interior structure may render this unnecessary. Furthermore, hyperbaric conditions can result in both positive and negative side effects over time. There are pros and cons to either choosing a hyperbaric or normal local pressure. Aegle and Physicality will need to monitor these conditions closely, as Aether will closely monitor the balance and pressure of gases in the air.

 

H.V.A.C.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning is Aether's bread and butter—and a delicate balance. At the bottom of the ocean, it's not difficult to keep the city cool. Water is a thermal insulator and has a high heat capacity, and as depth increases, temperature decreases. Heating the city is a much higher concern. Some energy can be redirected from waste heat generated by Bia, and the rest can be compensated by underground geothermal heat pumps and electric infrared heaters. Lastly, Aether must maintain proper ventilation, to ensure that heated, cleaned, and reoxygenated air is properly circulated and equally diffused among all interior spaces. Hot or cold spots are annoying—but low-oxygen spots can be hazardous and must be monitored closely. Citizens will also need to be familiar with the symptoms of oxygen deprivation, and report any instances promptly. As long as most spaces are kept open to each other, the process of diffusion will prevent this from being a concern. Individual apartments and other enclosed spaces, however, will have to be equipped with low oxygen sensors alongside smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors. At this stage the main ventilation network will need to be installed, along with sensors.

 

Artificial Seasons

At the bottom of the ocean, the effects of the seasons are dulled significantly. As water has a high heat capacity, water temperature at 100 feet deep will almost never grow colder than 45°F or warmer than 55°F. Rather than keeping the interior temperature at a constant temperature year-round, Aether will eventually be able to work with Minerva to shift the temperature and atmospheric conditions in larger atriums and concourses automatically to better reflect seasonal changes on the surface. This is important for ecosystem health and mental health, so citizens will have an easier time internalizing the passage of time.

 

Alternatively, we could make no seasons, or far milder seasons—this would require less energy overall. This could extend growing seasons and reduce seasonal depression. However, a seasonal cycle of labor (less work and more recreation during the winter) might suit our physiologies better. Consider the possibility of rotating seasons in different parts of the city, which could balance out harvests for Demeter.

 

Air Cleanliness

 

Aether could sterilize the air, killing all germs that pass through a system of air filters using UV light—but this would actually be detrimental to our health in the long run. Exposure to germs is what makes our immune systems strong, and an environment devoid of germs would make us vulnerable to anything brought down from the surface. Aether will work closely with Aegle and Physicality to keep the air clean, but not too clean. Air quality in an enclosed environment should be free of natural and artificial pollutants, at an Air Quality Index lower than 50, but never sterile. During these construction phases, thorough air filtration will be crucial to keep dust to a minimum. In medical facilities, it may be advantageous to sterilize the air as much as possible.