Abstract
Coastal erosion is accelerating due to global warming, thus weakening infrastructures and threatening the population. Actual remediation techniques are costly, resource-consuming and vulnerable. Here, we designed the synthesis of a carbonate rock by seawater electrolysis to reinforce engineering infrastructures. Inspired by electrochemical cathodic protection, the new technique involves the application of a low current in a buried metal grid to precipitate aragonite (CaCO3) and brucite (Mg(OH)2), which agglomerate the metal grid with the sediment. We tested the effects of power surface densities, 3 and 5 W/m2, on agglomerate properties during more than 2 years in natural conditions. We measured agglomerate thickness, accessible water porosity and axial compressive strength. The results show growth rates of 2.5 mm/month at 3 W/m2 and 4.1 mm/month at 5 W/m2 during the first 32 months. Data on material properties do not show a significant effect of power surface density. Maximum porosity of 16% is reached after 12 months, and maximum compressive strength of 10 MPa is obtained after 18 months. Overall, our findings confirm under outdoor conditions the practical application of electrochemical limestone synthesis for reinforcement of the coastal infrastructures.
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