Application of Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation in Wave Erosion Protection of the Sandy Slope: An Experimental Study

Yilong Li, Qiang Xu (), Yujie Li, Yuanbei Li and Cong Liu
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Yilong Li: College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Qiang Xu: Ocean Academy, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
Yujie Li: Ocean Academy, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
Yuanbei Li: Ocean Academy, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
Cong Liu: Southwest Technology and Engineering Research Institute, Chongqing 400039, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: Sandy slope erosion leads to coast degradation and exacerbates coastal zone instability and failure. As an eco-friendly engineering technology, microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) can provide a protection method against sandy slope erosion. In this study, a series of flume tests were conducted to investigate the wave erosion resistance of the MICP-treated sandy slope. The penetration tests were conducted to measure the slope surface strength, and the calcium carbonate content was evaluated by the acid washing method. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to study the microstructures of MICP-treated sand particles. In addition, the influence of MICP treatment on the wave shape and the excess pore water pressure was also analyzed. Results show that after four MICP treatments, the erosion resistance of the slope is significantly promoted, and no apparent erosion occurs after wave actions. The penetration resistance is also improved after MICP treatments, and the maximum penetration resistance of untreated and four-time MICP-treated slopes are about 0.14 MPa and 2.04 MPa, respectively. The calcium carbonate content on the slope surface can reach 7%. SEM analyses indicate that the intergranular bridging calcium carbonate crystals promote the wave erosion resistance of the sandy slope.

Keywords: microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP); sandy slope; erosion resistance; penetration resistance; calcium carbonate content; microstructures; wave shape; excess pore water pressure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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