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Effect of activated carbon on microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation of sand

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Abstract

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a sustainable technique to transform or improve physical and mechanical properties of soils. This paper aims to study the effect of activated carbon (AC) on the property of bio-treated China Standard sand. Six sample groups were prepared considering various dosages of cementation solutions and bacterial suspensions. In each group, samples were prepared at six different AC ratios (0%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight of sand). Bacterial retention ability, calcium carbonate mass, unconfined compression strength (UCS), and microstructures of bio-treated samples were examined and evaluated in the presence of AC. It was found that the improved yield of calcium carbonate crystals and increased UCS were correlated to the enhanced bacterial retention ability attributed to AC. In addition, the test results showed that the amount of cementation solution played an important role in the MICP process, but volume variation of the bacterial suspension had a little effect on the bio-treated samples.

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Acknowledgements

The research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51409102, U1704243) and the Henan Science and Technology Project (No. 172102310190).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Environment, North China University of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power, 36 Beihuan, Jinshui, Zhengzhou, 450000, China

    Yang Zhao, Cunbin Fan, Pinghui Liu & Zhiquan Huang

  2. School of Water Conservancy and Environmental Engineering, Zheng Zhou University, Zhengzhou, China

    Yang Zhao

  3. Yellow River Engineering Consulting Limited Company, Zhengzhou, China

    Houguo Fang

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  1. Yang Zhao
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  2. Cunbin Fan
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  3. Pinghui Liu
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  4. Houguo Fang
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  5. Zhiquan Huang
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Correspondence to Yang Zhao or Pinghui Liu.

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Zhao, Y., Fan, C., Liu, P. et al. Effect of activated carbon on microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation of sand. Environ Earth Sci 77, 615 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7797-4

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