Biostabilization of Desert Sands Using Bacterially Induced Calcite Precipitation.

Sand storms have become a growing global environmental issue and there is an urgent need to explore cost-effective green technologies to stabilize the sands of desert regions. In this study, the performance of a ureolyticBacillussp. for stabilization of sands was evaluated. TheBacillussp. could efficiently consolidate sand particles by hydrolysis of urea and the subsequent production of calcite and aragonite minerals. The biostabilized sands had a high resistance to erosion by a 33 m s−1wind speed even after 12-d exposure to freeze-thaw cycles. The compressive strength of biostabilized sands was dependent on the applied cell density and concentrations of Ca2+and urea. High cell densities, urea and Ca2+concentrations reduced the compressive strength. The optimal cell density, Ca2+and urea concentrations were OD6000.4, 15 mM and 20 g L−1, respectively, when performance and cost were considered. This study shows that biostabilization of sand based on microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has potential for the prevention of sand storms and wind erosion of soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]