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.

Field trial on use of soybean crude extract for carbonate precipitation and wind erosion control of sandy soil

Wind erosion is a major cause of land desertification and sandstorm formation in arid and semi-arid areas.The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of soybeans crude extract induced calcium carbonate precipitation(SICP)on reducing wind erosion risk of sandy soil.Field tests were carried out in Ulan Buh Desert,Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region,China.Results showed that the SICP method could significantly enhance the surface strength and wind erosion resistance of the topsoil.The optimal cementation solution(urea-CaCl2)concentration and spraying volume,according to experiments conducted on sandy land,were 0.2 mol/L and 4 L/m^2,respectively.Under this condition,the CaCO3 content was approximately 0.45%,the surface strength of sandy soil could reach 306.2 kPa,and the depth of wind erosion was approximately zero,after 30 d completion of SICP treatment.Soil surface strength declined with the increase of time,and long-term sand fixation effects of SICP treatment varied depending on topography.Whereas wind erosion in the top area of the windward slope was remarkable,sandy soils on the bottom area of the windward slope still maintained a relatively high level of surface strength and a low degree of wind erosion 12 month after SICP treatment.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM)tests with energy dispersive X-ray(EDX)confirmed the precipitation of CaCO3 and its bridge effect.These findings suggested that the SICP method is a promising candidate to protect sandy soil from wind erosion in desert areas.

Effects of hydrogel-encapsulated bacteria on the healing efficiency and compressive strength of concrete

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation is a promising technology for self-healing concrete due to its capability to seal microcracks.The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding hydrogelencapsulated bacteria on the compressive strength and the self-healing efficiency of concrete.To achieve this objective,12 sets of mortar samples were prepared,including three different mineral precursors(magnesium acetate,calcium lactate,and sodium lactate),at two concentrations(67.76 and 75.00 mM/L),and under two different biological conditions(with and without bacteria).In addition,a set of plain mortar samples was prepared to serve as a control.For each sample set,three mortar cubes and three beams were prepared and subjected to compression and flexural strength tests.From the compression tests,it was found that the sample containing calcium lactate along with yeast extract and bacteria displayed the best results.As for the flexural tests,once cracked,the beams were subjected to 28 d of wet/dry cycles(16 h of water immersion and 8 h of drying),where the bottom crack width was monitored(at 0,3,7,14,28 d of wet/dry cycles).Once the sample with the highest healing efficiency was identified(the one containing calcium lactate and hydrogel-encapsulated bacteria),the study was scaled up to concrete specimens.Two sets of concrete cylinders(consisting of three control samples and three samples with bacteria along with calcium lactate)were tested under compression in order to evaluate the effect of the bacteria-precursor combination on the concrete mechanical properties.The samples that yielded the greatest compressive strength were the ones containing calcium lactate and bacteria,displaying an improvement of 17%as compared to the control specimen.Furthermore,a flexural strength recovery analysis was performed on the concrete specimens revealing that the control showed better flexural strength recovery than the bacteriacontaining variant(41.5%vs.26.1%)after 28 d of wet/dry cycles.A healing efficiency analysis was also performed on the cracked samples,revealing that the control displayed the best results.These results are due to the fact that the control specimen showed a narrower crack width in comparison to the bacteria-containing samples.

不同钙源EICP溶液改良路基黄土动力特性研究

由于黄土地区路基基床强度低,在长期动态压力下黄土会发生不均匀沉降、滑坡或坍塌等工程问题。为了使动荷载作用下的黄土强度更符合实际工程需要,有必要进一步研究不同钙源EICP溶液对黄土动强度的改良效果。本工作以陕西某基坑黄土为研究对象,在胶凝液中引入环保型木钙代替传统钙源进行技术改进,结合室内动三轴试验在不同围压下比较三种钙源EICP溶液对黄土的固化效果。结果表明:EICP溶液能显著提高黄土的动强度;同一围压下,黄土试样动应力和阻尼比随应变的增大逐渐升高,而动剪切模量随应变的增大逐渐降低;围压较小时,乙酸钙源EICP溶液对黄土动强度的改良效果较好,而当围压较大时,木钙源EICP溶液对黄土动强度的改良效果较好;同一试样所受围压越大,动强度和动剪切模量越大,阻尼比越小。

EICP改良膨胀土的物理力学性质试验研究

为了探究脲酶诱导碳酸钙沉淀(EICP)技术改良弱膨胀土的物理力学特性,利用大豆脲酶开展EICP技术处理弱膨胀土的膨胀特性和力学特性试验研究。通过EICP多因素配比正交试验研究脲酶浓度、初始Ca^(2+)浓度、酶胶比、尿钙比、养护时间对膨胀土碳酸钙生成率、自由膨胀率的影响及其变化规律,确定了EICP反应液最佳配比。采用不同掺量EICP反应液改良膨胀土,通过无荷载膨胀率试验、无侧限抗压强度试验及三轴压缩试验验证改良效果。结果表明:EICP反应液掺量为20%时抑制膨胀土膨胀性效果最好,且此时土体力学强度和碳酸钙生成率最高。大豆脲酶诱导产生的沉淀物为方解石型碳酸钙,附着在土颗粒表面既填充了土颗粒孔隙,也胶结了土体骨架颗粒,阻碍土体与水分接触,提高了土体密实性和黏结强度,改善了膨胀土膨胀性和力学性能。

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀技术的工程应用进展与评述

基于微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(Microbially Induced Calcium carbonate Precipitation,MICP)技术的土体胶结固化技术是21世纪以来岩土工程、地质工程领域研究的热点之一。本文系统阐述了MICP技术的加固机理,从MICP加固效果和应用实践的角度出发,对MICP技术工程应用的研究现状进行评述。结果表明:MICP固化后的场地强度呈现出不均匀性明显、碳酸钙含量分布随深度递减的趋势;沙漠环境中,原位提取的菌种诱导生成的碳酸钙覆膜较传统的巴氏芽孢杆菌,具有更好的强度表现和稳定性;新型MICP技术应用(如微生物水泥、微生物砖)在强度、耐久性上表现出良好的应用前景,有望为实现我国双碳目标注入新的活力。基于MICP技术碳酸钙沉淀特质的影响因素,现场尺度下如何提高碳酸钙分布的均匀性以及在季节性变化下的碳酸钙骨架的耐久性、不同环境下的固化效率改进方案应该成为日后研究的重中之重。

微生物岩土工程技术的过去、现在与未来

微生物岩土工程技术作为一种新兴的生态友好型岩土体改良加固技术,应用前景广阔。但限于理论水平和研究手段,该技术仍存在较多不足,难以实现高效固化,由此成为大规模现场应用的瓶颈。而提升固化效率的关键在于明确其作用原理和影响机制。文章梳理了微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积技术(MICP)的研究现状,系统归纳了固化原理和改良岩土体的物理力学特性,并分析得出固化效率主要受到反应物自身和外部环境两方面的影响。当前MICP技术已初步应用于土体固化、裂缝修复、防渗处理、污染修复及微生物水泥等领域,但由于矿化难以均匀、反应物不经济、微生物及脲酶活性期短且受环境干扰大、代谢产物附带毒性、现场应用性差,该技术目前主要限于实验室水平。作者分别提出了可能的突破与改进方向,并结合实验室成果指出豆粕进行菌体扩培和脲酶供给的碳源优势,以及将磷石膏作为现场钙源的环保性和经济性,以期为从事微生物岩土工程研究与技术开发的人员提供参考。

基于响应面法的PP-PAM复合改良微生物固化膨胀土优化研究

【目的】采用微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀技术(MICP)加固膨胀土,可有效提高膨胀土的强度,降低胀缩性,但存在土体破坏时脆性明显,以及养护初期崩解量高等问题,为了进一步改善微生物固化膨胀土的脆性破坏和养护初期崩解量高的问题,【方法】在微生物固化膨胀土的基础上,研究掺入聚丙烯纤维(PP)和聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)对微生物固化膨胀土破坏模式和水稳性的影响。以纤维长度、纤维掺量和聚丙烯酰胺掺量为影响因素,以无侧限抗压强度和崩解量为响应值,采用Box-Behnken响应面法进行条件优化试验,建立了响应面回归模型,获得聚丙烯纤维长度、聚丙烯纤维和聚丙烯酰胺用量及其交互作用对微生物固化膨胀土强度和崩解性综合指标的影响。【结果】结果表明:聚丙烯纤维的掺入降低了微生物固化膨胀土破坏时的脆性、提高了土体强度、降低了膨胀土的崩解性,但随着纤维长度的增加,崩解量逐渐增加;聚丙烯酰胺的掺入降低了膨胀土的崩解量,但会降低土体强度。【结论】在影响因素试验范围内,以无侧限抗压强度最高和崩解量最低为原则,通过Box-Behnken响应面法获得最佳配比为:聚丙烯纤维长度为9 mm,掺量为0.5%,聚丙烯酰胺掺量为0.12%。在此配比下,复合固化土的无侧限抗压强度为1.24 MPa,相比优化前提高了29.57%,崩解量仅为0.34%,相比优化前降低了99.07%。

钙源对微生物矿化胶结砂土材料均匀性的影响

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积(MICP)技术可以改善砂土材料的力学性质,但MICP胶结砂土材料的均匀性问题是目前存在的重要问题,且严重影响了MICP技术的工程应用。进行小尺寸(直径3 cm、高度11 cm)和细长(直径5 cm、高度100 cm)砂柱试样的MICP一批次灌浆试验和溶液环境试验,探究氯化钙和乙酸钙两种钙源对MICP矿化反应过程和MICP胶结砂土材料均匀性的影响。MICP胶结砂土试样的碳酸钙含量和单轴抗压强度试验结果表明,与氯化钙作为钙源相比,乙酸钙作为钙源可以增加砂柱胶结长度,改善碳酸钙在灌浆方向的均匀性,减少MICP胶结砂土材料沿灌浆路径的强度差异;乙酸钙作为钙源可减缓MICP矿化反应过程,降低营养液中尿素的分解速率,进而提高营养液中未分解尿素和游离钙离子在MICP胶结砂土材料中的传输距离,有利于提高MICP胶结砂土材料的均匀性。

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。

基于高密度电阻率成像技术的MICP浆液入渗过程监测研究

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(MICP)技术是一种生态环保、前景广阔的土体改性方法,其改性效果与浆液的入渗特征密切相关。为此,提出将高密度电阻率成像(ERT)技术用于MICP浆液入渗过程监测。文章通过开展模型试验,对石英砂试样进行混合一步注浆法MICP处理,同时对试样持续进行ERT监测及电导率分析,获取了试样的三维电阻率变化特征,处理完成后测定了试样中碳酸钙含量的空间分布。结果表明:(1)MICP反应过程中,砂土与注浆液电导率随尿素分解而逐渐升高;(2)注浆液的迁移分布对砂土内部低电阻区的分布规律起主导作用,而碳酸钙沉淀的影响较小;(3)在MICP处理过程中,碳酸钙沉淀的生成与注浆液的迁移渗透相互作用,共同影响改性效果;(4)ERT技术可有效监测MICP处理区电阻率的时空演化特征,准确反映注浆液渗透迁移情况,进而评价改性效果。研究结果表明,采用ERT技术监测MICP改性土体过程具有可行性,为评价和优化微生物矿化改性效果提供了新的技术思路和方向。

天然海水环境下离子浓度对MICP反应的影响

微生物岩土技术通过生物矿化过程改善基础材料的力学性质,使其更适用于建筑或解决多学科领域的环境问题。微生物矿化过程中产生的碳酸钙是改善基础材料力学性质的主要成分,但其生成量及形态等受多种因素的影响。通过离子计、pH计、SEM、EDS和XRD等手段探究天然海水和去离子水环境在矿化过程中氯化钙和尿素浓度、比例及菌液和胶结液(氯化钙、尿素)体积比等因素对沉淀物质形貌及晶体组成的影响。结果表明:钙离子和尿素浓度及比例低时,碳酸钙的产率较高,但当初始钙离子、尿素浓度超过1.0 mol/L时,离子浓度增大对细菌产脲酶有抑制作用,浓度越高对脲酶的抑制作用越明显,沉淀物产率也随之减小,海水环境总体沉淀量与沉淀效率均高于去离子水环境。菌胶结液体积比去离子水中为1∶4、海水中不高于1∶10时,碳酸钙生成量较高,去离子水环境晶型以方解石为主,海水环境晶型以球霰石为主且沉淀中含有镁盐。

基于微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀技术加固珊瑚砂试验研究

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀技术(MICP)广泛应用于土木工程领域,为更好地了解微生物加固钙质砂场地的作用效果,本文通过采用低pH一相注浆加固的方法,开展对加固后的钙质砂场地的室内分析测试以及现场加载测试。通过钻孔取样开展了无侧限压缩试验、剪切波速试验以及扫描电镜试验。试验结果表明,在相同的加固条件下,碳酸钙沉淀作用形式不同将会导致较大的强度差异性;现场加载试验在微生物场地加固、养护结束后,且场地保持干燥时进行平板载荷试验,通过荷载板试验可以发现,当荷载逐渐增大时,承压板周边土开始出现裂缝延展,最终破坏时土体发生了较大的位移沉降和裂缝扩展,也证明了携带菌种现场扩培的方法在岛礁微生物加固中的可取性。

MICP技术在地下水封油库渗控注浆中的应用潜力

地下水封油库在建设及运营过程中洞室涌水量大小是影响洞库水封安全和运营成本的重要因素。目前地下水封油库工程建设中采用传统的注浆方式难以将围岩渗透性降低到设计要求,因此洞室涌水量得不到很好的控制。微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(MICP)技术具有注浆黏度低、环境适应性强、生成矿化物质稳定等显著优点,引起了学术界与工程界广泛的兴趣和研究。本文首先分析了地下水封油库涌水量控制中存在的相关问题,然后阐述了MICP技术对裂隙渗流控制的机理、影响因素以及对裂隙渗透性的影响效果,最后探讨了MICP技术在地下水封油库中应用的关键问题。通过分析表明,MICP作为地下水封油库渗流控制的一种辅助注浆方式,可以较为准确地控制围岩渗透性变化,达到对洞室涌水量有效控制的目的。

椰壳纤维-MICP复合改良膨胀土膨胀特性研究

采用椰壳纤维联合微生物诱导碳酸钙沉积(MICP)技术对南水北调中线工程南阳段的膨胀土进行试验改良,对素土、纤维土、MICP土以及椰壳纤维-MICP复合改良土开展无荷膨胀率试验和有荷膨胀率试验,研究改良前后膨胀土无荷膨胀率、有荷膨胀率随纤维掺量的变化规律,并对比分析单一改良方式和复合改良方式下纤维掺量对膨胀土膨胀特性的影响,最后通过电镜扫描试验,观察土样微观结构,揭示纤维-MICP复合改良膨胀土特性的内在机理。结果表明:单掺椰壳纤维和MICP技术改良均可抑制膨胀土的膨胀性能,而椰壳纤维-MICP复合改良土的改良效果最明显,且随着纤维掺量的增加,纤维土和复合改良土的无荷膨胀率和有荷膨胀率呈现出先减后增的趋势,纤维最佳掺量为0.5%,电镜扫描试验显示椰壳纤维可发挥桥联的作用以增强MICP膨胀土的改良效果。

Biomineralization and mineralization using microfluidics:A comparison study

Biomineralization through microbial process has attracted great attention in the field of geotechnical engineering due to its ability to bind granular materials,clog pores,and seal fractures.Although minerals formed by biomineralization are generally the same as that by mineralization,their mechanical behaviors show a significant discrepancy.This study aims to figure out the differences between biomineralization and mineralization processes by visualizing and tracking the formation of minerals using microfluidics.Both biomineralization and mineralization processes occurred in the Y-shaped sandcontaining microchip that mimics the underground sand layers.Images from different areas in the reaction microchannel of microchips were captured to directly compare the distribution of minerals.Crystal size and numbers from different reaction times were measured to quantify the differences between biomineralization and mineralization processes in terms of crystal kinetics.Results showed that the crystals were precipitated in a faster and more uncontrollable manner in the mineralization process than that in the biomineralization process,given that those two processes presented similar precipitation stages.In addition,a more heterogeneous distribution of crystals was observed during the biomineralization process.The precipitation behaviors were further explained by the classical nucleation crystal growth theory.The present microfluidic tests could advance the understanding of biomineralization and provide new insight into the optimization of biocementation technology.

Research status, hot spots, difficulties and future development direction of microbial geoengineering

Microbial geoengineering technology,as a new eco-friendly rock and soil improvement and reinforcement technology,has a wide application prospect.However,this technology still has many deficiencies and is difficult to achieve efficient curing,which has become the bottleneck of large-scale field application.This paper reviews the research status,hot spots,difficulties and future development direction microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation(MICP)technology.The principle of solidification and the physical and mechanical properties of improved rock and soil are systematically summarized.The solidification efficiency is mainly affected by the reactant itself and the external environment.At present,the MICP technology has been preliminarily applied in the fields of soil solidification,crack repair,anti-seepage treatment,pollution repair and microbial cement.However,the technology is currently mainly limited to the laboratory level due to the difficulty of homogeneous mineralization,uneconomical reactants,short microbial activity period and large environmental interference,incidental toxicity of metabolites and poor field application.Future directions include improving the uniformity of mineralization by improving grouting methods,improving urease persistence by improving urease activity,and improving the adaptability of bacteria to the environment by optimizing bacterial species.Finally,the authors point out the economic advantages of combining soybean peptone,soybean meal and cottonseed as carbon source with phosphogypsum as calcium source to induce CaCO3.

EICP固化轮胎颗粒混合黏土的强度特性及微观机理

酶诱导碳酸钙沉淀(EICP)技术固化轮胎颗粒混合黏土轻质回填材料可以高效吸纳废旧轮胎,推动废旧轮胎在岩土工程领域资源化利用。基于EICP技术结合轮胎颗粒,系统开展了复合改良黏土的强度特性和机理研究。结果表明,EICP技术可以提高轮胎颗粒混合黏土的无侧限抗压强度。当胶结液浓度为0.5 mol/L时,处理效果最好。随着胶结液浓度增大,CaCO_(3)含量逐渐增加,但转化率逐渐降低。EICP固化轮胎颗粒混合黏土的强度和弹性模量随轮胎颗粒掺量增加先增加后降低,轮胎颗粒的最佳掺量为5%;微观结构分析表明EICP生成的CaCO_(3)有效增强了轮胎颗粒和土颗粒之间的黏结并填充了孔隙。研究结果可为EICP固化轮胎颗粒混合黏土填充材料提供理论依据。

外源Ca^(2+)对两种产脲酶细菌修复Cd-As复合污染水稻土的影响

微生物诱导碳酸盐沉淀(Microbially induced carbonate precipitation,MICP)技术已被广泛应用于土壤重金属污染修复。为促进MICP过程,提高土壤修复效果,以Cd-As复合污染的水稻土为研究对象,利用巴氏八叠球菌(Octococcus pasteurii)和蜡样芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)两种产脲酶细菌,分析比较了外源添加氯化钙(CaCl2)对两种菌株固定土壤中Cd、As效果的影响,并对修复后土壤理化性质、酶活性及微生物多样性的变化进行了检测。结果表明:两种菌株均能固定土壤Cd、As,其中,蜡样芽孢杆菌对土壤Cd、As的固定效果更佳,与巴氏八叠球菌处理相比,蜡样芽孢杆菌处理下土壤有效态Cd、As含量分别降低了16.7%、11.1%;添加外源Ca^(2+)后,在两种细菌处理下有效态Cd、As含量均发生显著变化,分别降低了17.3%~22.2%、16.8%~26.7%,可见Ca^(2+)的添加能有效促进MICP过程,促进对Cd、As的固定。此外,与未添加Ca^(2+)处理相比,添加Ca^(2+)后,两种细菌处理下显著提高了土壤脲酶活性(52.6%~113.3%)、蔗糖酶活性(13.1%~28.9%)、碱解氮含量(3.4%~25.5%)、速效钾含量(2.1%~34.1%)以及微生物多样性,表明外源Ca^(2+)可有效提高土壤肥力及土壤生态功能。综上,基于MICP作用,可通过添加外源Ca^(2+)来增强产脲酶细菌对Cd-As复合污染土壤的修复效果,其中,蜡样芽孢杆菌修复效果更佳。

Application of Bioengineering in Construction

Bio-cement and bio-concrete are innovative solutions for sustainable construction, aiming to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the durability and versatility of building materials. Bio-cement is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cement, produced through Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), which mimics natural biomineralization processes. This method reduces CO2 emissions and enhances the strength and durability of construction materials. Bio-concrete incorporates bio-cement into concrete, creating a self-healing material. When cracks form in bio-concrete, dormant bacteria within the material become active in the presence of water, producing limestone to fill the cracks, extending the material’s lifespan and reducing the need for repairs. The environmental impact of traditional cement production is significant, with cement generation accounting for up to 8% of global carbon emissions. Creative solutions are needed to develop more sustainable construction materials, with some efforts using modern innovations to make concrete ultra-durable and others turning to science to create affordable bio-cement. The research demonstrates the potential of bio-cement to revolutionize sustainable building practices by offering a low-energy, low-emission alternative to traditional cement while also addressing environmental concerns. The findings suggest promising applications in various construction scenarios, including earthquake-prone areas, by enhancing material durability and longevity through self-repair mechanisms.