InterPore2023

Wind erosion suppression using biological methods revisited: The use of microbial/enzymatic-induced carbonate precipitation and biopolymers

23 May 2023, 16:10

1h 30m

Poster Presentation (MS05) Biochemical processes and biofilms in porous media Poster

Speaker

Dr Jafar Qajar (Department of Petroleum Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran)

Description

Dust emission induced by wind erosion affects crop production, the aviation industry, and human health, to name a few. Wind-borne dust particles can have several environmental and health implications. They can carry pathogenic microorganisms and thereby pose health threats. Besides, having entered surface water and oceans, they change water chemistry and quality, subsequently affecting the native ecosystem. Dust emissions not only affect the inhabitants of their source of origin but also have detrimental effects on the life quality of the settlements far away. Thus, dust emission is a global environmental challenge.
Over the past few decades, the need to achieve minimum greenhouse gas emissions has led scientists to search for new compounds and techniques for wind erosion suppression. Having encountered naturally cemented sedimentary formations such as Stromatolite in Western Australia, the idea of a bio-mediated or bio-inspired technique for soil stabilization has appealed to several studies. Therefore, there have been recently numerous studies on the use of biological methods such as microbial carbonate precipitation (MICP) [1-3], enzymatic carbonate precipitation [4-7], and biopolymers for wind erosion mitigation [8].
In this contribution, we briefly introduce these methods, and their main stabilization mechanisms, such as the involved biogeochemical reactions, types of microorganisms, and the induced mechanical effects. Care has been taken to highlight the merits and demerits of each approach and elucidate the challenges in their field-scale applications. Finally, future research perspectives and directions are introduced.

References

[1] Zomorodian, S. M. A., Ghaffari, H., & O'Kelly, B. C. (2019). Stabilisation of crustal sand layer using biocementation technique for wind erosion control. Aeolian Research, 40, 34-41.
[2] Meng, H., Gao, Y., He, J., Qi, Y., & Hang, L. (2021). Microbially induced carbonate precipitation for wind erosion control of desert soil: Field-scale tests. Geoderma, 383, 114723.
[3] Naeimi, M., Chu, J., Khosroshahi, M., & Zenouzi, L. K. (2023). Soil stabilization for dunes fixation using microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation. Geoderma, 429, 116183.
[4] Hamdan, N., & Kavazanjian Jr, E. (2016). Enzyme-induced carbonate mineral precipitation for fugitive dust control. Géotechnique, 66(7), 546-555.
[5] Sun, X., Miao, L., Wang, H., Wu, L., & Zhang, J. (2021). Enzymatic calcification to solidify desert sands for sandstorm control. Climate Risk Management, 33, 100323.
[6] Sun, X., Miao, L., Wang, H., Yin, W., & Wu, L. (2021). Mineralization crust field experiment for desert sand solidification based on enzymatic calcification. Journal of Environmental Management, 287, 112315.
[7] Liu, Y., Gao, Y., He, J., Zhou, Y., & Geng, W. (2023). An experimental investigation of wind erosion resistance of desert sand cemented by soybean-urease induced carbonate precipitation. Geoderma, 429, 116231.
[8] Owji, R., Habibagahi, G., Nikooee, E., & Afzali, S. F. (2021). Wind erosion control using carboxymethyl cellulose: From sand bombardment performance to microfabric analysis. Aeolian Research, 50, 100696.