Simulation Study of the Solidification on the Outcrop Caused by Microbial Dynamics

Abstract

Algae on/in outcrops induce calcium carbonate precipitation. The calcium carbonate protects surface of the outcrops and improves their mechanical properties. Therefore, if this phenomenon can be artificially reproduced and applied to real environments, weathered outcrops could be restored in a self-organized manner. However, it is difficult to directly observe the dynamic changes of carbonate precipitation on the surface of outcrops in experiments because the active zone of algae is very small. In this study, we propose a simulation technique that can evaluate the growth of algae and the carbonate deposition process on/in the surface layer of outcrops. The results of the numerical analysis indicate that photoautotroph move in the direction perpendicular to the outcrop and promote carbonate precipitation. The spatial distribution of algae obtained by the simulation was very similar to that in a real environment. The proposed method has the potential to accurately evaluate algae growth and carbonate precipitation processes and is considered to be a promising tool for predicting this phenomenon.