Minimizing wind erosion using microbial induced carbonate precipitation

Abstract

This research focuses on investigating the effectiveness of microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) to reduce the potential for wind erosion. This paper summarizes the results of preliminary wind tunnel experiments. Wind tunnel experiments were performed on untreated and MICP-treated samples. Soil samples prepared at the same relative density were treated using different treatment procedures. Soil samples were sprayed with bacteria (Sporosarcina pasteurii) suspended in a urea solution followed by the application of a calcium chloride cementation solution. The solutions were applied on the soil surface and allowed to percolate through the sample. To determine the wind velocity profile in the wind tunnel, pitot tubes were used to measure the differential pressure at various heights and verified analytically using the law of the wall. Digital image correlation (DIC) combined with wind velocity measurements were utilized to identify the conditions at which the surface fails (i.e., erosion initiation and sustained erosion). The wind velocity was gradually increased until particle movement was initiated. This paper summarizes the experimental setup and results of preliminary experiments. - 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.