Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
D. Landa-Marban, S. Tveit, K. Kumar, S. E. Gasda
Summary: Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) technology has the potential to seal leakage paths in geological formations, utilizing biochemical processes to form barriers, as confirmed by numerical simulations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Hector Zuniga-Barra, Javiera Toledo-Alarcon, Alvaro Torres-Aravena, Lorena Jorquera, Mariella Rivas, Leopoldo Gutierrez, David Jeison
Summary: Mining activities have economic benefits, but also environmental impacts on tailings generation and management. Biogeochemical processes, particularly microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP), can modify the properties of tailings. MICP has potential for sustainable management of tailing deposits, with applications including removal or immobilization of heavy metals, creation of impermeable barriers, prevention of soil liquefaction, and control of windblown dust emissions. However, challenges remain in considering tailings' chemical composition, reducing urea requirements, determining optimal reagents dosage, evaluating long-term stability, and calculating associated costs.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Minyong Lee, Michael G. Gomez, Charles M. R. Graddy, Alexandra C. M. San Pablo, Jason T. DeJong, Douglas C. Nelson
Summary: This study explores methods for controlling the spatial uniformity and extent of microbially-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) using experiments and simulations. The results show that adjusting the stimulated ureolytic activities can achieve more uniform improvement and increase the treatment extent with reduced sensitivity to changes in injection rates.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Minyong Lee, Michael G. Gomez, Charles M. R. Graddy, Alexandra C. M. San Pablo, Jason T. DeJong, Douglas C. Nelson
Summary: Microbially-Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP), or biocementation, is a soil improvement process that uses microbial ureolytic activity to enable the precipitation of CaCO3 on soil particle surfaces. This study explores treatment strategies to enrich indigenous ureolytic microorganisms and control the spatial uniformity and extent of biocementation. Results show that differences in treatment solution can reliably control the enrichment of ureolytic microorganisms and achieve a wide range of ureolytic activities. Reactive transport simulations demonstrate that reducing stimulated ureolytic rates can improve uniformity and increase the extent of improvement in biocementation.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Nazanin Alidoustsalimi, Mohammad Bazargan, Zahra Ghobadi Nejad, Soheila Yaghmaei
Summary: Sporosarcina pasteurii has been used to induce the formation of pure, porous calcite structures through the MICP process. A new injection pattern was adopted to achieve well-distributed precipitation and successful formation of consolidated porous structure.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Chen Zeng, Yvo Veenis, Caitlyn A. Hall, Elizabeth Stallings Young, Wouter R. L. van Der Star, Jun-jie Zheng, Leon A. van Paassen
Summary: The field trial evaluating microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) for ground stabilization showed limited treatment to approximately 5% of the total soil volume, with lower than expected conversion efficiency possibly due to the heterogeneous soil profile. Substrates spread farther than intended, likely because of preferential flow through more-permeable layers and possibly hydraulically induced fractures.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Min Xu, Jing Ma, Xiao-Hong Zhang, Gang Yang, Lu-Lu Long, Chao Chen, Chun Song, Jun Wu, Peng Gao, Dong-Xing Guan
Summary: The MICP technique utilizes ureolytic bacteria to decompose urea and generate carbonate ions for metal combination. It can remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils while maintaining or improving soil functions, but its efficiency in agricultural soil practical application still needs enhancement.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Monika Dagliya, Neelima Satyam, Meghna Sharma, Ankit Garg
Summary: Wind erosion is a significant natural calamity worldwide. This study evaluates the feasibility of using microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation to mitigate wind-induced erosion in the Thar desert of India. The results show that the biocemented sand samples are more resistant to erosion compared to untreated sand, and longer treatment duration leads to thicker crust and higher surface strength.
JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Soyson Arpajirakul, Wiboonluk Pungrasmi, Suched Likitlersuang
Summary: The study determined suitable chemical conditions to induce microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) activity and explored its effectiveness in improving the mechanical properties of three types of natural fine-grained soils. The optimal chemical mixture helped increase the stiffness and shear strength of clay samples, but the improvements varied depending on the natural characteristics of the clay types.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Amin Razbani, Espen Jettestuen, Anja Royne
Summary: Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising method in geotechnical engineering with eco-friendly solutions. It involves coupled processes in geochemistry and bacterial metabolism, leading to calcite crystal growth and a decrease in porosity and permeability. Mathematical models are being developed to predict the system's fate under different conditions, but further investigation is needed on the bio-geochemical evolution and its influence on the overall MICP process.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Ahmed ElMouchi, Sumi Siddiqua, Emmanuel Salifu, Dharma Wijewickreme
Summary: Muskeg soil, which covers a significant portion of Canada, has high compressibility and low shear strength. This study investigates the application of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) for enhancing the properties of muskeg soil. The results demonstrate that a bioslurry concentration of 0.4 mol/L exhibits the best compressibility properties.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhanfei He, Yiting Xu, Wenyi Wang, Xiaoliang Yang, Zhengzhong Jin, Daoyong Zhang, Xiangliang Pan
Summary: Tailings are a significant type of hazardous waste, and their treatment is challenging and expensive. This study proposes a low-cost technique that combines microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and inorganic additives. Results show that CaO is the most effective additive, with an optimum dosage of 5%. The MICP-CaO coupled technique demonstrates high effectiveness in stabilizing heavy metals in tailings, with passivation rates 2%-866% higher than single techniques.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Oliver Ramos, Tae-Hyuk Kwon
Summary: This study investigates the effect of biochemical factors on the spatial distribution of calcium carbonate precipitation and provides guidance for field-scale MICP treatment strategies. The results show that the density of attached bacteria has a profound effect on the uniformity of calcium carbonate content, and bio-augmentation with low bacterial density facilitates a homogeneous precipitation.
GEOMECHANICS FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Seung Hee Chae, Hyeonyong Chung, Kyoungphile Nam
Summary: The study investigated the application methods of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) on different soil types for wind erosion prevention. It was found that the pouring method was suitable for medium sand, while the mixing method was more effective for other soil types. The presence of calcium reduced bacterial penetrability, impacting the effectiveness of MICP. Choosing the appropriate application method based on soil properties can help mitigate soil erosion.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ronald Turner, Gloria M. Castro, James Minto, Grainne El Mountassir, Rebecca J. Lunn
Summary: This study examines the effectiveness of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in treating fractured concrete. The results demonstrate the excellent penetrability of MICP and even distribution of precipitates along the core length. Treatment cycles led to a significant reduction in core permeability, and the effectiveness depended on fracture network characteristics. Additionally, bridging of precipitates across fracture surfaces resulted in a recovery of 26-50% of initial tensile strength.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Nicholas A. Paull, Ross W. Boulanger, Jason T. DeJong, Steven J. Friesen
Summary: This case study applies a conditional transition probability method to interpret subsurface stratigraphy and evaluate the effects of stratigraphic uncertainty on nonlinear dynamic analysis (NDA) results. It develops 3D realizations of the alluvial strata by synthesizing information from different sources and creates 2D NDA models of Perris Dam. The study compares deformations and examines the impact of various factors on the analysis.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Minyong Lee, Michael G. Gomez, Maya El Kortbawi, Katerina Ziotopoulou
Summary: Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is an environmentally conscious ground-improvement method that enhances the engineering properties of granular soils. This study found that light biocementation can significantly improve the liquefaction resistance of loose sands, but has almost no effect on post-triggering strain accumulation and reconsolidation behaviors.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Trevor J. Carey, Anna Chiaradonna, Nathan C. Love, Daniel W. Wilson, Katerina Ziotopoulou, Alejandro Martinez, Jason T. DeJong
Summary: This paper investigates the effect of sand gradation on the performance of embankments under strong shaking through a centrifuge study. Results show that embankments constructed with well graded sand have better stability and resistance to liquefaction compared to those constructed with poorly graded sand.
SOIL DYNAMICS AND EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Mary J. S. Roth, Laurie F. Caslake, Jason DeJong, Jordan Greer, Doug Nelson, Rebecca Parales
Summary: The controlled production of microbial growth has the potential to reduce groundwater flow in seepage and dewatering systems. This study investigated the spatial distribution of permeability reduction under different nutrient stimulation treatments of indigenous bacteria across 16 cm columns of Ottawa 50-70 sand.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-GROUND IMPROVEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Maya El Kortbawi, Diane M. Moug, Katerina Ziotopoulou, Jason T. DeJong, Ross W. Boulanger
Summary: This paper presents a numerical simulation and experimental validation study on the effect of microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP) treatment on soil improvement. The study proposes a relationship between apparent cohesion and cone tip resistance and analyzes the trends between different parameters.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Patrick C. Bassal, Ross W. Boulanger, Jason T. DeJong
Summary: This study evaluates the lateral spreading of interlayered deposits adjacent to a meandering stream channel during the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake in Wufeng, Taiwan, using nonlinear dynamic analyses and geostatistical modeling. The results demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of current subsurface and NDA modeling procedures for predicting ground deformation patterns.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert J. Burdalski, Bruna G. O. Ribeiro, Michael G. Gomez, Drew Gorman-Lewis
Summary: Microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation is a bio-cementation process that improves the engineering properties of granular soils through the precipitation of calcium carbonate minerals. The influence of seawater ions and soil materials on the reaction kinetics, mineralogy, and morphology of the bio-cementation process was investigated in this study. Results showed that these factors significantly affected the activity of ureolytic bacteria and the mineralogy and morphology of precipitates, although calcite remained the predominant polymorph in all experiments.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Alexander P. Pires-Sturm, Jason T. DeJong
Summary: Centrifuge testing data is used to investigate the influence of particle size and gradation on cone penetration resistance. The results show that coarser soils exhibit higher cone penetration resistance compared to clean sands under similar conditions, which is attributed to the compromised failure mechanism and the variation in mechanical properties with particle size.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, Alejandro Martinez, Jason T. DeJong
Summary: The gradation and particle size of soils have an impact on their drained and undrained triaxial compression behavior. Wider gradations result in a decrease in the slope and intercept of the critical state line, while larger particle sizes lead to an increase in the slope and intercept of the critical state line. Soils with wider gradations have higher peak friction angles and maximum dilation angles at any given state parameter. The peak drained and undrained strengths of soils increase with the range of particle sizes, but the contribution of the maximum rate of dilatancy to the difference between peak and critical state friction angles is not affected by gradation. The Bolton framework underpredicts the difference between peak and critical state friction angles at any given relative density.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Trevor J. J. Carey, Nathan C. C. Love, Jason T. T. DeJong
Summary: Research shows that loose sandy soils are prone to liquefaction during earthquake shaking, and these soils often serve as the basis for analysis procedures. However, centrifuge testing has demonstrated that well-graded soils perform better in terms of liquefaction triggering and deformation compared to poorly graded sands. These findings contribute to more accurate performance predictions for levees and earthen dams.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Zachary J. Westgate, Jason T. DeJong
Summary: Accurate prediction of load transfer in geosystems requires understanding of the micromechanical behavior of soil particles at the soil-structure interface. This study investigates the localized soil-structure interface evolution during cyclic shearing and quantifies the effects of various parameters such as relative density, particle angularity, and surface roughness. Particle image velocimetry is used to measure the local displacement and strain distributions within the test specimens. The study provides insights into the differences between precyclic and postcyclic monotonic behavior, which can be useful for geotechnical design.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Bruna G. O. Ribeiro, Michael G. Gomez
Summary: Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a bio-mediated cementation process that improves the engineering properties of granular soils by precipitating calcium carbonate. It offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional soil improvement methods. Understanding the chemical permanence of MICP is crucial for identifying suitable applications, predicting long-term engineering behavior and assessing environmental impacts.
JOURNAL OF GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Yoon-Ah Kim, Matthew Burrall, Min-Kyung Jeon, Jason T. Dejong, Alejandro Martinez, Tae-Hyuk Kwon
Summary: This study focuses on extracting anchorage principles inspired by tree root systems and applies them to anchor design in dry sand. The research results shed light on the mechanical performance of tree root-inspired anchors and provide important guidance for their design and construction.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael G. Gomez, Samantha T. Muchongwe, Charles M. R. Graddy
Summary: This study proposes a soil improvement method using enriched fermentative microorganisms to control the gelation process of colloidal silica grouts. Results demonstrate that fermentative microorganisms can successfully mediate gel formation in suspensions, increasing the reliability and control of colloidal silica grouting.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Mary J. S. Roth, Laurie F. Caslake, Jason DeJong, Jordan Greer, Doug Nelson, Rebecca Parales
Summary: This study investigated the spatial distribution of permeability reduction under different nutrient stimulation treatments of indigenous bacteria. Uniform permeability reductions were achieved using both high and low glucose formulations, with similar rates.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-GROUND IMPROVEMENT
(2023)