Hypothetical question

[Dolphins18]

This is a strange question and I was just thinking about it today and curious. In a hypothetical situation, could oxygen levels be raised above atmospheric levels in a controlled system supporting marine (or any other kind) of life.
For example, if this were even possible, what would likely happen if oxygen levels were slowly raised to Permian levels (30%) in a sealed off system supporting life?
Thanks!

 

[anthonygf]

This is a strange question and I was just thinking about it today and curious. In a hypothetical situation, could oxygen levels be raised above atmospheric levels in a controlled system supporting marine (or any other kind) of life.
For example, if this were even possible, what would likely happen if oxygen levels were slowly raised to Permian levels (30%) in a sealed off system supporting life?
Thanks!

I have thought about that myself, dose oxygen at night when photosynthesis stops.

 

[Dolphins18]

I have thought about that myself, dose oxygen at night when photosynthesis stops.

Right, but my thought is that the oxygen levels would quickly even out with the standard atmospheric level, but I wonder what could happen in a sealed off (no access to external air) system with a constant oxygen level of around 30%.

 

[anthonygf]

Right, but my thought is that the oxygen levels would quickly even out with the standard atmospheric level, but I wonder what could happen in a sealed off system with a constant oxygen level of around 30%.

Oh I see. We need BRS to do an experiment. lol

 

[Anthony Scholfield]

Would this idea have any relation to using an oxydator?

 

[Pistondog]

What would be the purpose/target?

 

[Dolphins18]

Would this idea have any relation to using an oxydator?

Not in this case, the surrounding air would need to remain at a higher oxygen level than possible at the moment.

 

[Dolphins18]

What would be the purpose/target?

Just curiosity, but higher oxygen levels in the permian made pods nearly the size of humans

 

[Dan_P]

This is a strange question and I was just thinking about it today and curious. In a hypothetical situation, could oxygen levels be raised above atmospheric levels in a controlled system supporting marine (or any other kind) of life.
For example, if this were even possible, what would likely happen if oxygen levels were slowly raised to Permian levels (30%) in a sealed off system supporting life?
Thanks!

Oxygen levels can be raised above normal levels in aquariums. I read a post about someone using an oxygen concentrator to help a gill damaged fish breathe easier. So, you don’t need to seal off the system to achieve a higher concentration.

If I were going to experiment, I would raise the oxygen a bit every week or two.

 

[Pistondog]

Just curiosity, but higher oxygen levels in the permian made pods nearly the size of humans, and in some cases larger.

You must have a big tank.

 

[jdiefenbaugh]

I don't know if this answers your question or not, but I received fish in shipping above 300% dissolved oxygen levels, fish were anesthetized as a result. The highest saturation I have seen a closed aquatic system was around 115%.

 

[Malcontent]

Oxygen levels can be raised above normal levels in aquariums. I read a post about someone using an oxygen concentrator to help a gill damaged fish breathe easier. So, you don’t need to seal off the system to achieve a higher concentration.

If I were going to experiment, I would raise the oxygen a bit every week or two.

Yeah, that sounds like me. I thought I would have to seal the top off with a plastic sheet or something but it turns out it takes awhile for dissolved gases to reach equilibrium.

Right, but my thought is that the oxygen levels would quickly even out with the standard atmospheric level, but I wonder what could happen in a sealed off (no access to external air) system with a constant oxygen level of around 30%.

That's what I thought until I tried it one day. In a 40 gal tank with a 3" fish and no filter or air stone or anything that might encourage diffusion, it's possible to stay above equilibrium for >24 hours.

An 8" fish in a 10 gal tank lasts about 8 hours.

Right now, I'd really like to be able to put the O2 concentrator on a timer but being a life saving device it has a loud alarm that sounds when it's switched on but the power is out. I think I can desolder a capacitor to disable that alarm.

Every time I leave the house I have to setup the 10 gal/8" fish tank with a conventional air stone + air pump on a countdown timer to turn on a few hours in the future should something happen to me.

>300% saturation is achievable under most conditions.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This is a strange question and I was just thinking about it today and curious. In a hypothetical situation, could oxygen levels be raised above atmospheric levels in a controlled system supporting marine (or any other kind) of life.
For example, if this were even possible, what would likely happen if oxygen levels were slowly raised to Permian levels (30%) in a sealed off system supporting life?
Thanks!

I'm not certain if it would be a benefit or a detriment to have O2 constantly that high. Hyperbaric O2 treatment in people is not desirable long term. Similar undesirable effects may happen in marine systems.

Oxygen Enrichment and Fire Hazards

Oxygen enrichment is the general term for any gas or liquid that has more than 21% oxygen by volume in the air. It increases the risk of fire in enclosed areas.

gaslab.com

"The problem with breathing air at increased oxygen levels is that over time it can damage cell membranes, a collapse of the alveoli in the lungs, retinal detachment, and seizures. However, studies show that long term recovery is possible once oxygen levels are reduced."

 

[atoll]

Oxygen levels can be raised above normal levels in aquariums. I read a post about someone using an oxygen concentrator to help a gill damaged fish breathe easier. So, you don’t need to seal off the system to achieve a higher concentration.

If I were going to experiment, I would raise the oxygen a bit every week or two.

And quite possibly the best and safest way of doing that is with an Oxydator by increasing the % of hydrogen peroxide and or adding extra catalysts.

 

[Dan_P]

And quite possibly the best and safest way of doing that is with an Oxydator by increasing the % of hydrogen peroxide and or adding extra catalysts.

Disagree. Hydrogen peroxide addition is not a risk free additive. Safest way is to add oxygen.

 

[regionreef219]

I have always been under the impression that insects would grow larger if oxygen levels were higher then what they are currently. So if earth air had say 40% oxygen instead of what it currently is (~21%), than insects and bugs would be much larger.

Maybe in the fish world something can be said about this as well but I do not know. The person who said pods could get as big as a human might be on to something if you can get your tank oxygen levels to abnormally high levels.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have always been under the impression that insects would grow larger if oxygen levels were higher then what they are currently. So if earth air had say 40% oxygen instead of what it currently is (~21%), than insects and bugs would be much larger.

Maybe in the fish world something can be said about this as well but I do not know. The person who said pods could get as big as a human might be on to something if you can get your tank oxygen levels to abnormally high levels.

I believe the intent of the insect statement was that insects "could" be bigger with more available O2, not that existing insects would grow bigger.

 

[EMeyer]

Yeah, the idea as I understand it is that evolution was permitted to explore large insect body sizes while oxygen levels were low, not that insects just inevitably got larger at high O2. (The tracheal respiratory system apparently doesnt scale well with body size at low O2)

You may need to maintain the elevated O2 for geological time scales to see an effect

 

[atoll]

Disagree. Hydrogen peroxide addition is not a risk free additive. Safest way is to add oxygen.

It is as risk free with an Oxydator as can e with most things unless you want to be silly and going well OTT with peroxide. Been using Oxydators for around 30 years in many different tanks with never an issue. The risk as you put it os very minimal indeed both I and many more can testify to that. However,I would caution against adding peroxide without an Oxydator as the risks are far higher.

 

[ReefGeezer]

We used to build pressurized "O2 Reactors" but I really don't think you could make one efficient enough to raise it above equilibrium to ambient levels.