Stimulation of Native Microorganisms for Biocementation in Samples Recovered from Field-Scale Treatment Depths
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 1
Abstract
Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a biomediated cementation process that uses natural microbial enzymatic activity to improve the geotechnical properties of granular soils. In this study, two sets of experiments are completed using soil samples obtained from different depths to evaluate the feasibility of stimulating native ureolytic microorganisms for MICP at depths relevant to geotechnical applications. Batch and column experiments completed using five different stimulation solutions demonstrate that stimulation of native microbial ureolysis is improved with an enhanced stimulation solution, which differs from a standard stimulation solution used in previous studies through initial solution pH adjustment to 9.0 and higher concentrations of ammonium chloride and yeast extract of 100 mM and , respectively. A sterile sampling and column testing program is completed using soil materials obtained at shallow (2 m), middle (5.9 m), and deep (12 m) depths from a geotechnical boring and treated with both standard and enhanced stimulation solutions. Despite significant differences in stimulated urea degradation between soil depths and stimulation solution types, all tested columns achieved ureolysis rates sufficient to induce MICP, although at different times. Following 14 cementation treatments, soil columns achieved final values as high as and unconfined compressive strengths as high as 1.9 MPa. The results of this study suggest that native ureolytic microorganisms may be successfully stimulated in natural soil deposits to induce calcite precipitation at treatment depths up to 12 m for geotechnical ground improvement.
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Acknowledgments
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation grants CMMI-1539774 and CMMI-1234367, and by the Engineering Research Center Program of the National Science Foundation under NSF Cooperative Agreement No. EEC-1449501. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors also thank Gabby Hernandez, Alexandra San Pablo, Kevin Kuei, and Andreas Gavras of the University of California, Davis for their assistance with the project and Teichert Aggregates Woodland for providing access to and support with the project testing location.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 1 • January 2018
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 28, 2016
Accepted: Jun 15, 2017
Published online: Oct 24, 2017
Published in print: Jan 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Mar 24, 2018
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