Coupled multiphysical model for investigation of influence factors in the application of microbially induced calcite precipitation

The study presents a comprehensive coupled thermo-bio-chemo-hydraulic(T-BCH)modeling framework for stabilizing soils using microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP).The numerical model considers relevant multiphysics involved in MICP,such as bacterial ureolytic activities,biochemical reactions,multiphase and multicomponent transport,and alteration of the porosity and permeability.The model incorporates multiphysical coupling effects through well-established constitutive relations that connect parameters and variables from different physical fields.It was implemented in the open-source finite element code OpenGeoSys(OGS),and a semi-staggered solution strategy was designed to solve the couplings,allowing for flexible model settings.Therefore,the developed model can be easily adapted to simulate MICP applications in different scenarios.The numerical model was employed to analyze the effect of various factors,including temperature,injection strategies,and application scales.Besides,a TBCH modeling study was conducted on the laboratory-scale domain to analyze the effects of temperature on urease activity and precipitated calcium carbonate.To understand the scale dependency of MICP treatment,a large-scale heterogeneous domain was subjected to variable biochemical injection strategies.The simulations conducted at the field-scale guided the selection of an injection strategy to achieve the desired type and amount of precipitation.Additionally,the study emphasized the potential of numerical models as reliable tools for optimizing future developments in field-scale MICP treatment.The present study demonstrates the potential of this numerical framework for designing and optimizing the MICP applications in laboratory-,prototype-,and field-scale scenarios.

The Reduction of the Permeability of a Lateritic Soil through the Application of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation

Lateritic soils are frequently utilised in tropical areas of the developing world as an engineering material in the construction of rural earth roads, usually in the form of engineered natural surface (ENS) roads. The heavy, seasonal rainfalls common to the tropics results in ENS roads becoming quickly saturated with rainwater, and no longer accessible to motorised transportation. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has been successfully used as a treatment process to decrease the permeability of clean, cohesionless sands by studies trying to impede the movement of groundwater, and any pollutants they may contain. In order to see if MICP treatment can also reduce the susceptibility of ENS road lateritic soils to rainwater saturation, this study has treated a Brazilian sample extracted from an ENS road in Espirito do Santo, Brazil, using the MICP bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii contained within a urea-calcium chloride solution inoculum. Investigation, by means of a Rowe cell, of the post-treatment permeability, to untreated control samples, has shown an average decrease in the vertical coefficient of permeability of 83%, from 1.15 × 10-7 m/s for the untreated control samples, to 1.92 × 10-8 m/s in treated samples.

Physical-mechanical properties of microbially induced calcite precipitation-treated loess and treatment mechanism

Loess disintegration can lead to geotechnical engineering problems,e.g.,slope erosion,wetting-induced landslide,and hydroconsolidation.Microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP)technique is a potential loess reinforcing method.This study investigated the physical-mechanical properties of MICP-treated loess and then explored the mechanism of loess modification by MICP.Here,loess first underwent MICP treatment,i.e.,mixing loess with Sporosarcina pasteurii and cementation solution(CS).Then,the effects of the CS concentration(0.2,0.6,0.8,and 1 M)on the physical and mechanical properties of the MICP-treated loess were tested.Finally,the static contact angle test,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),and X-ray diffractometry(XRD)were conducted to study the mechanism of MICP treatment on loess.Results showed the following property changes of loess after MICP treatment:the liquid limit decreased by 1.7%,the average particle size increased from 6 to 47μm,the specific gravity decreased from 2.65 to 2.43,the unconfined compressive strength increased from 37 to 71 k Pa,and the disintegration time increased from 10 to 25 min.Besides,the shear strength also increased,and the shear strength parameters(cohesion c and internal friction angle?)varied with the CS concentration.The static contact angle tests indicated that the water absorption ability of loess was reduced after MICP treatment.SEM and XRD results verified that the CaCO_(3)from MICP was attributed to the above results.The above findings explained the mechanism of MICP treatment of loess:the CaCO_(3)coats and cements the particles,and fills the pores of loess,improving the strength and water stability of loess.

A comparative study of using two numerical strategies to simulate the biochemical processes in microbially induced calcite precipitation

In this study,we carried out a comparative study of two different numerical strategies for the modeling of the biogeochemical processes in microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP)process.A simplified MICP model was used,which is based on the mass transport theory.Two numerical strategies,namely the operator splitting(OS)and the global implicit(GI)strategies,were adopted to solve the coupled reactive mass transport problems.These two strategies were compared in the aspects of numerical accuracy,convergence property and computational efficiency by solving the presented MICP model.To look more into the details of the model,sensitivity analysis of some important modeling parameters was also carried out in this paper.

Stress sensitivity of permeability in high-permeability sandstone sealed with microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation(MICP)catalyzed by S.pasteurii has attracted considerable attention as a bio-cement that can both strengthen and seal geomaterials.We investigate the stress sensitivity of permeability reduction for the initially high-permeability Berea sandstone(initial permeability∼110 mD)under various durations of MICP-grouting treatment.The results indicate that after 2,4,6,8 and 10 cycles of MICP-grouting,the permeabilities decrease incrementally by 87.9%,60.9%,38.8%,17.3%,and then 5.4%compared to the pre-grouting condition.With increasing the duration of MICP-grouting,the sensitivity of permeability to changes in stress gradually decreases and becomes less hysteretic.This stress sensitivity of permeability is well represented by a power-law relationship with the coefficients representing three contrasting phases:an initial slow reduction,followed by a rapid drop,culminating in an asymptotic response.This variation behavior is closely related to the movement and dislocation of the quartz framework,which is controlled by the intergranular bio-cementation strength.Imaging by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)reveals the evolution of the stress sensitivity to permeability associated with the evolving microstructures after MICP-grouting.The initial precipitates of CaCO3 are dispersed on the surfaces of the quartz framework and occupy the pore space,which is initially limited in controlling and reducing the displacement between particles.As the precipitates continuously accumulate,the intergranular slot-shaped pore spaces are initially bonded by bio-CaCO3,with the bonding strength progressively enhanced with the expanding volume of bio-cementation.At this stage,the intergranular movement and dislocation caused by compaction are reduced,and the stress sensitivity of the permeability is significantly reduced.As these slot-shaped pore spaces are progressively filled by the bio-cement,the movement and dislocation caused by compaction become negligible and thus the stress sensitivity of permeability is minimized.

Experimental study on mitigating wind erosion of calcareous desert sand using spray method for microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation

Wind erosion is one of the significant natural calamities worldwide, which degrades around one-third of global land. The eroded and suspended soil particles in the environment may cause health hazards, i.e.allergies and respiratory diseases, due to the presence of harmful contaminants, bacteria, and pollens.The present study evaluates the feasibility of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation(MICP)technique to mitigate wind-induced erosion of calcareous desert sand(Thar desert of Rajasthan province in India). The temperature during biotreatment was kept at 36℃ to stimulate the average temperature of the Thar desert. The spray method was used for bioaugmentation of Sporosarcina(S.) pasteurii and further treatment using chemical solutions. The chemical solution of 0.25 pore volume was sprayed continuously up to 5 d, 10 d, 15 d, and 20 d, using two different concentration ratios of urea and calcium chloride dihydrate viz 2:1 and 1:1. The biotreated samples were subjected to erosion testing(in the wind tunnel) at different wind speeds of 10 m/s, 20 m/s, and 30 m/s. The unconfined compressive strength of the biocemented crust was measured using a pocket penetrometer. The variation in calcite precipitation and microstructure(including the presence of crystalline minerals) of untreated as well as biotreated sand samples were determined through calcimeter, scanning electron microscope(SEM), and energydispersive X-ray spectroscope(EDX). The results demonstrated that the erosion of untreated sand increases with an increase in wind speeds. When compared to untreated sand, a lower erosion was observed in all biocemented sand samples, irrespective of treatment condition and wind speed. It was observed that the sample treated with 1:1 cementation solution for up to 5 d, was found to effectively resist erosion at a wind speed of 10 m/s. Moreover, a significant erosion resistance was ascertained in15 d and 20 d treated samples at higher wind speeds. The calcite content percentage, thickness of crust,bulk density, and surface strength of biocemented sand were enhanced with the increase in treatment duration. The 1:1 concentration ratio of cementation solution was found effective in improving crust thickness and surface strength as compared to 2:1 concentration ratio of cementation solution. The calcite crystals formation was observed in SEM analysis and calcium peaks were observed in EDX analysis for biotreated sand.

Eff ect of Cementation on Calcium Carbonate Precipitation of Loose Sand Resulting from Microbial Treatment

Microbe-induced calcite precipitation is a sustainable improvement technique for sandy soil, which can alter the properties of sand via microbial activity. In this study, we investigated the loose-sand-consolidation effect by controlling the injection velocity, bacterial and cementing-solution concentrations, and hold times. The results demonstrate that, as the cyclic batch increases, the utilization rate of the bacterial fluid increases and both the optical density (OD600) of the bacteria and urease activity decrease. Moreover, it was determined that a 3-h hold time for a 0.5 mol/L cementing solution with a cementing fluid velocity of 2 mL/min has the greatest bonding effect. The final strength of the loose sand with an increase in calcium carbonate content was further discussed. © 2017 Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany

Biochar-bacteria partnership based on microbially induced calcite precipitation improves Cd immobilization and soil function

Microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP)technique utilizes ureolytic bacteria to decompose urea and generate carbonate ions for metal combination.MICP can remediate heavy metal(e.g.,Cd)contaminated soils while maintaining or even improving soil functions,but its efficiency in agricultural soil practical application still needs to be enhanced.Here,we constructed a biochar-bacteria(2B)partnership in which biochar provides high nutrition and diverse sorption sites.Using the 2B system,Cd immobilization effectiveness and the underlying mechanism were examined along with the soil properties and soil functions.Results showed that compared to the single biochar and ureolytic bacteria systems,soil Cd mobility was reduced by 23.6%and 45.8%through co-precipitating with CaCO_(3) as otavite(CdCO_(3))in the 2B system,whereas soil fertility,bacterial diversity,and richness increased by 11.7-90.2%,5.4-16.1%,and 6.8-54.7%,respectively.Moreover,the abundances of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were enhanced in the 2B system.Notably,Sporosarcina and Bacillus(Firmicutes genus)that carry the ureC gene were boosted in the system,further implicating the microbiological mechanism in reducing Cd migration and its bioavailability in soil.Overall,the constructed 2B system was efficient in soil Cd immobilization by strengthening the ureolytic bacteria growth and their nutrient supply in the bacteria-rich soil ecosystem.

低分子量有机酸(苹果酸)对方解石-氟的吸附/沉淀反应影响

低分子量有机酸常对矿物的表面反应(吸附/沉淀)产生影响,从而影响矿物的溶解、矿化等过程,进而影响环境地球化学进程中元素的迁移稳定性。苹果酸作为一种广泛存在于自然界中的有机酸,是植物通过代谢过程分泌的副产品。通过批量平衡法开展了苹果酸对方解石-氟的吸附/沉淀反应的影响研究,旨在深入理解有机酸在地球化学过程中的作用。结果表明:①初始pH值为7.7条件下,对于低浓度氟(≤5 mg·L^(-1)),随着苹果酸浓度的升高,其对氟去除的抑制作用呈增强趋势;对于中、高浓度氟(25或60 mg·L^(-1)),氟去除主导机制为CaF 2沉淀反应,苹果酸的抑制作用对其影响不大,但其表面吸附反应导致pH值升高和钙浓度下降。②初始pH值为8.3条件下,对于低浓度氟(≤20 mg·L^(-1)),苹果酸对氟去除仍有抑制作用;苹果酸与Ca 2+的络合反应促使pH值和钙浓度上升;对于中浓度氟(60 mg·L^(-1)),氟去除主导机制为CaF 2沉淀反应,20 mg·L^(-1)苹果酸已对其产生抑制作用,随着苹果酸浓度继续升高,pH值先降后升,钙浓度持续上升,彰显了苹果酸络合反应的效应;对于高浓度氟(100 mg·L^(-1)),100 mg·L^(-1)苹果酸能极大抑制CaF 2沉淀反应,对应的pH值未超过无苹果酸时,对应的钙浓度仍低于其空白背景值,暗示了CaF 2沉淀反应的主导性。③初始pH值为8.7条件下,对于低浓度氟(≤5 mg·L^(-1)),苹果酸对氟去除的抑制作用有所减弱,但其络合反应产生的效应十分显著,导致pH值和钙浓度上升;对于高浓度氟(240 mg·L^(-1)),氟去除主导机制为CaF 2沉淀反应,该反应随着苹果酸浓度的升高而受到抑制,对应的钙浓度不断上升彰显苹果酸络合反应的效应,而pH值的下降也表明了CaF 2沉淀反应的主导性。本研究深入探讨了氟元素在方解石矿物界面上的吸附、迁移和转化过程,为理解氟的迁移稳定性提供了新的视角和理论基础,同时对富含有机酸环境中方解石矿物的稳定性评估具有重要意义,也为氟在其他矿物上的迁移转化研究提供借鉴。

MICP与MgO联合加固粉土试验

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积(MICP)技术利用特定微生物分解尿素产生碳酸根离子,与钙离子结合沉积生成碳酸钙,可对土体进行胶结加固。相比传统的化学加固,MICP具有环境友好、使用灵活等优点,但也面临处理步骤较多、加固效果不够稳定等问题。提出将活性MgO与MICP相结合,利用MICP反应提供氧化镁碳化所需的CO_(2),进一步提升加固效果。溶液试验表明,加入MgO会使溶液pH有所增加,使尿素水解速率降低;用MgO替代CaCl_(2)时的碳酸盐生成量低于使用CaCl_(2)时的生成量。粉土的加固试验结果表明,在粉土中掺入MgO然后进行MICP注浆处理,可有效降低试样崩解率并提高无侧限抗压强度,且掺入高活性MgO的效果更好。当MgO掺量在5%~20%时,试样加固强度与MgO掺量成线性正相关关系。相比仅使用MICP进行处理或仅在粉土中拌入MgO,MgO与MICP联合加固的强度更高,需要的处理次数更少。微观测试结果表明,MgO与MICP联合加固的试样中生成大量花瓣状或片状碱式碳酸镁,广泛分布在颗粒间和颗粒表面,起到了更强的胶结作用。

赤泥对磷石膏生物胶结的充填性能影响研究

为了解决充填骨料磷石膏强酸性劣化生物胶结充填体材料性能的问题,提出引入碱性固废赤泥的方法,探究添加不同质量分数的赤泥对磷石膏生物胶结充填料浆和充填体力学性能的影响。结果显示:在微生物诱导碳酸盐沉淀(Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation, MICP)作用下,充填骨料中赤泥质量分数从0提高至80%时,充填料浆的泌水率由17%增至44%,表观黏度由585 mPa·s降至121 mPa·s,初、终凝时间分别增加了139%和135%。赤泥质量分数影响磷石膏生物胶结充填体的单轴抗压强度(Uniaxial Compressive Strength, UCS)。当赤泥占骨料总质量的20%时,充填体强度最高,为2 070 kPa,而过高的赤泥添加质量分数会导致UCS降低。强度的变化与赤泥的高碱性和干缩性有关。研究为碱性固废赤泥在磷石膏生物胶结充填中的应用提供理论基础和技术支撑,实现了固废资源化利用。

Modelling of the elastoplastic behaviour of the bio-cemented soils using an extended Modified Cam Clay model

An elastoplastic constitutive model based on the Modified Cam Clay(MCC)model is developed to describe the mechanical behaviour of soils cemented via microbially induced calcite precipitation(MICP).It considers the increase of the elastic stiffness,the change of the yield surface due to MICP cementation and the degradation of calcium carbonate bonds during shearing.Specifically,to capture the typical contraction-dilation transition in MICP soils,the original volumetric hardening rule in the MCC model is modified to a combined deviatoric and volumetric hardening rule.The model could reproduce a series of drained triaxial tests on MICP-treated soils with different calcium carbonate contents.Further,we carry out a parametric study and observe numerical instability in some cases.In combination with an analytical analysis,our numerical modelling has identified the benefits and limitations of using MCCbased models in the simulation of MICP-cemented soils,leading to suggestions for further model development.

沸石增强砂土微生物固化效果研究

为提高砂土的微生物固化效果,考虑沸石作为吸附材料具有多孔的特性,通过宏观物理力学试验和微细观检测,系统分析了沸石对微生物固化砂土的增强效果。研究结果表明:沸石能够显著提高砂土微生物加固过程中的固菌率。与常规微生物固化相比,掺入沸石后,固菌率提升约5.5倍,抗压强度提升39.35%,渗透系数减小71.94%。掺入沸石,一方面能够增加碳酸钙沉淀生成量,并改善其分布均匀性;另一方面,沸石周围的碳酸钙沉淀对两侧砂颗粒起到良好的桥接作用,能够增强砂颗粒之间的结构性及试样的整体性。研究成果为进一步优化微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积技术提供参考。

工业纯氯化钙应用于微生物胶结粉土的研究

利用微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积(MICP)能对土体进行有效加固,但目前胶结液配置多采用分析纯试剂,成本较高.虽然有研究表明采用工业纯试剂也能获得较好的加固效果,但相关研究还不够深入.采用工业纯氯化钙替代胶结液中的分析纯氯化钙,开展了溶液和土体条件下的试验研究.在溶液环境下,通过铵根离子浓度来反映尿素水解情况.结果表明:铵根浓度随着工业纯钙离子浓度的提高而逐渐下降;碳酸钙生成量随着钙离子浓度的提高先增加后降低,过高的钙离子浓度对尿素水解有明显的抑制作用.当胶结液浓度不超过1.25mol/L时,工业纯与分析纯氯化钙的碳酸钙生成量比较接近.对粉土采用两种纯度的氯化钙进行MICP处理,均能对粉土进行有效加固.工业纯和分析纯氯化钙处理试样的强度均随着浓度先增加后降低,采用工业纯氯化钙处理的部分试样强度甚至超过了分析纯.SEM结果表明,采用工业纯氯化钙处理的试样中生成了大量碳酸钙晶体,增加处理轮数,可提高试样碳酸钙生成量和无侧限抗压强度.

冻融循环作用下MICP固化铅污染土的强度与浸出特性研究

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(MICP)技术可用于重金属污染土固化稳定修复。本文通过开展无侧限抗压强度、离子浸出及微观试验,主要研究MICP固化铅污染土在冻融循环作用下的强度与化学稳定性,并揭示其微观作用机理。结果表明:随着铅离子浓度的增加,土体的无侧限抗压强度先增大后减小,铅离子浸出浓度增大;随冻融循环次数的增加,土体的强度逐渐降低并趋于稳定,铅离子浸出浓度增大。冻融循环作用后,固化土的主要矿物成分未发生变化;土中的小孔隙数量增加,大孔隙数量基本保持不变。冻融循环作用损伤固化土的碳酸钙胶结与铅离子沉淀结构,致使土体性能劣化。

微生物加固粉土的强度特性及加固机理研究

针对华北地区广泛分布的黄河冲积粉土级配差、强度低的问题,采用微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(MICP)技术对其进行加固。通过三轴试验研究加固粉土的强度特性,通过微观结构测试分析其微观机理;结合宏观现象和微观机理揭示强度加固机理。结果表明:MICP加固后粉土的强度得到了大幅提升;其黏聚力和内摩擦角均随加固轮数、胶结液浓度的增加而增大,且增长速率呈现出先快后慢的趋势;在胶结液浓度为0.5 mol/L、加固两轮时加固效率更高。就微观结构而言,土样中的孔隙随胶结液浓度和加固轮数的增大而逐渐减少;土样截面的平均非孔隙面积比随加固轮数、胶结液浓度的增加而增大;黏聚力、内摩擦角与平均非孔隙面积比之间均符合先快后慢的双线性增加关系。黏聚力与内摩擦角提升原因在于MICP加固生成的碳酸钙通过粘结粉土颗粒,填充堵塞颗粒间孔隙,使平均非孔隙面积比增大,进而提升土体强度。

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀技术对花岗岩残积土渗透性的影响规律研究

用花岗岩残积土填筑的路基具有水稳性差、渗透系数大、易受降雨冲刷等特点。为探讨微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(microbial induced calcite precipitation,MICP)技术对花岗岩残积土渗透系数的影响规律及作用机理,测定MICP固化前后重塑花岗岩残积土试样的渗透系数,并对固化前后的试样进行碳酸钙质量分数测定、核磁共振扫描、电镜扫描以及X射线衍射分析。结果表明:1) MICP技术能使花岗岩残积土试样的渗透系数降低两个数量级,且在试验范围内,将各因素按照对渗透系数的影响程度从大到小排列,依次为:胶结液浓度、固化次数、灌注液量。同时,最佳固化条件为灌注液量40 mL、胶结液浓度1.0 mol/L、固化16次。2)固化产生的沉淀填充在花岗岩残积土孔隙中,致使孔隙间的连通性变差,孔隙率下降。总体上,越靠近注入端碳酸钙的质量分数越大,固化效果越好。3)簇状的方解石碳酸钙有效胶结了原本松散的土颗粒,堵塞了土颗粒孔隙间的渗流通道,降低了试样的渗透系数。

微生物沉积方解石的产率

微生物沉积法制备碳酸钙,其单位体积产率是重要指标之一。选取培养基浓度、底物浓度、细菌接种量和成核剂4个因素进行正交试验,以提高微生物沉积碳酸钙的沉积量和单位体积产率。研究表明:底物浓度对碳酸钙沉积量和单位体积产率的影响最大。优选其它影响因素最佳水平,当底物浓度达到8%时,100mL液相中CaCO3沉积量和单位体积产率最大可达到15.46g和28.7%。

高温高压碎屑岩储层中石膏溶解对方解石沉淀的影响

一般研究认为有机质演化过程中释放的有机酸会对碎屑岩储层中的方解石等易溶矿物产生溶蚀作用从而生成次生孔隙,进而增大岩石的储集空间和渗透性。但柴达木盆地红柳泉地区始新统下干柴沟组碎屑岩储层为咸化湖盆沉积,偏光显微镜下可见岩石薄片中石膏较为发育。通过流体-岩石动力学模拟实验研究得出,在地层条件下高温高压环境中石膏优先溶解进而使得方解石发生沉淀作用,且二者紧密相关。总体上,这一反应使得岩石的孔隙度和渗透率增大且孔隙结构变好,方解石的沉淀作用造成的储集空间的减小量小于石膏和长石等易溶矿物溶解造成的储集空间的增大量,因此,高温高压的地层条件下酸性流体与岩石的相互作用会对储层物性起到一定的改善作用。

1770年以来青藏高原错鄂地区古气候定量恢复

通过对1999年所采错鄂CE 1孔自生碳酸盐碳、氧同位素与1955—1999年器测温度降水资料的统计分析,获取了自生碳酸盐碳、氧同位素与气候要素的定量关系,并据此恢复了1770年以来该地区的古气候。结果表明,错鄂沉积物中自生方解石氧同位素与气温显示出较好的正相关性,而与降水相关性不明显;碳同位素刚好相反,它与降水负相关,而与气温相关性不显著。1770年以来,错鄂地区在20世纪初气候环境发生了根本的改变,1900年以前降水偏少,为沼泽环境,1900年后降水增加,湖泊发育;1900年前后气温开始上升,30年代后期气温达到峰值,50年代初气温稍有下降。1935—1999年平均气温较前一百多年升高了近1℃。所获结果有较好的区域对比性。