An Experimental Study to Improve the Nutrients and the Mechanical Properties of Copper Tailings Sand in China’s Arid Zone by Biomineralization of Locally Isolated Urease-Producing Bacteria

Jianmin Yue, Naiping Song (), Chen Meng, Li Xie and Daoqin Chang
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Jianmin Yue: Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China
Naiping Song: Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China
Chen Meng: Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China
Li Xie: Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China
Daoqin Chang: Breeding Base for State Key Laboratory of Land Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Northwestern China, Yinchuan 750021, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology is an environmentally friendly technique that can contribute to tailings consolidation and ecosystem restoration. Our study found that local MICP bacteria, Lysinibacillus fusiformis , could remediate copper tailings pollution at different slope positions (K1, K2, and K3) in arid areas. We analyzed the effect of MICP treatment on the slag from macro- to microscopic levels with a dissolution test, soil physical and chemical tests, wind tunnel testing experiments, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that the MICP bacteria, L. fusiformis , effectively remodeled the slag structure, thereby preventing the diffusion of tailing slag caused by wind erosion. This structural remodeling resulted in a significant increase in slag strength (maximum strength: 2707 KPa) and an increased content of CaCO 3 . Furthermore, it led to a significant reduction in total salinity content (36.4–43.6%), pH (4.1–4.4%), and improvement in nutritional status (total potassium content (16–31.4%) and the available phosphorus content (2.1–2.3 times) of the tailings slag ( p < 0.05). There was also a 15% increase in urease and catalase activity in K1, a 7% increase in invertase activity in K3 ( p < 0.05), and a significant increase in carbon and nitrogen microbial biomass in K1, K2, and K3 ( p < 0.05).

Keywords: arid areas; copper tailings; local MICP bacteria; macro- to microscopic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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