Abstract
Background. In this research, the potential of the microbially induced carbonate precipitation method for the surface treatment of sand samples of Jabal Kandi dunes, located in the adjacency of Urmia Lake in the northwest of Iran, was considered. Methods. Sporosarcina pasteurii was used as ureolytic bacteria for the preparation of the microbial solution. Corn steep liquor containing urea was used as an inexpensive growth media. The effects of the concentration of cementation solution and the number of treatment cycles were considered. Because of the presence of some hydrolyzed urea in the prepared microbial suspension, two methods of treatment, i.e., the mixed and separate addition of microbial solution and cementation solution to the sand surface, were investigated. Penetration and erosion resistance of the microbial treated sand (sand crust) were measured using a handheld penetrometer and a wind tunnel system. Results. The results showed that the penetration and erosion resistance of the treated sand samples via microbial-induced carbonate precipitation method were improved significantly. In the method with the separate addition of microbial and cementation solutions to the sand surface, a stable sand crust was created on top of the sand. Discussion. This study tried to optimize the microbial application of Sporosarcina pasteurii for surface treatment of sand via microbial-induced carbonate precipitation. Significant and results showed that this method can be used on the field scale for the stabilization of sand dunes. The advanced biotechnology application of this bacterium can be used as an environmentally friendly and safe method instead of other methods.
Highlights
Wind erosion is one of the most important natural serious problems in arid and semiarid regions of the world
The erosion potential of sand in this region increases strongly by wind velocity increment. e microbial treatment (MICP method) could be the suitable method for the creation of the biocrust on the top of the surface of the sand of the Jabal Kandi region and prevention of the mobility of sand dunes. e amount of the wind erosion modulus reduces significantly in the microbialtreated sand because of the creation of sand crust on top of the sample. e presence of salts in the natural sans samples had no negative effect on the process of the microbial treatment of sand
In most of the treatment plans, microbial treatment of sand with one cycle leads to the creation of the thin sand crust on the top of the sand and the significant increment of the erosion resistance, but it will not have enough penetration resistance and stability
Summary
Wind erosion is one of the most important natural serious problems in arid and semiarid regions of the world. E water level reduction of Urmia Lake in the northwest of Iran in recent years has led to the shrinkage of the lake area, so sand dunes are developing around the lake border Some of these dunes have a high potential for erosion and movement to agricultural lands, so the control and stabilization of them are indispensable [1]. The potential of the microbially induced carbonate precipitation method for the surface treatment of sand samples of Jabal Kandi dunes, located in the adjacency of Urmia Lake in the northwest of Iran, was considered. E results showed that the penetration and erosion resistance of the treated sand samples via microbial-induced carbonate precipitation method were improved significantly.
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