A laboratory investigation of suppression of dust from wind erosion using biocementation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Abstract

Dust events are among the serious environmental challenges in some countries. Sustainable solutions can be applied to tackle this problem by considering soil as a living ecosystem. Biocementation based on production of carbonates by heterotrophic bacteria is one of the favored methods to suppress the dust from wind erosion because this type of bacteria produces calcium carbonate (main product) as well as water and carbon dioxide (by-products). In present research, bacterial species of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was used. First, bacteria were cultivated to reach toa pre-determined concentration. Next, bacterial cells and nutrients in the form of solution were sprayed on the soil surface. Then, samples were tested in a closed circuit wind tunnel. Three main groups of samples were tested: without sand bombardment and undisturbed soil surface, with sand bombardment and undisturbed soil surface, and without sand bombardment and with disturbed soil surface. The results show that the implemented method for stabilization of soil was efficient. Moreover, based on the results of second group of tests, curing duration, amount of water, temperature-water interaction and water -bacterial cells interaction were found to be of considerable significance.