Exploration of Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation Technology for the Protection of Soil on Agricultural Drainage Ditch Slopes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) offers an eco-friendly approach to stabilize porous materials. This study evaluates its feasibility for protecting agricultural drainage ditch slopes through laboratory tests. Liquid experiments assessed calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation rates under varying bacteria–cementation solution ratios (BCR), cementation solution concentrations (1–2 mol/L), and urease inhibitor (NBPT) contents (0–0.3%). Soil experiments further analyzed the effects of solidified layer thickness (4 cm vs. 8 cm) and curing cycles on soil stabilization. The results showed that CaCO3 precipitation peaked at a BCR of 4:5 and declined when NBPT exceeded 0.1%. Optimal parameters (0.1% NBPT, 1 mol/L cementation solution, BCR 4:5) were applied to soil tests, revealing that multi-cycle treatments enhanced soil water retention and CaCO3 content (up to 7.6%) and reduced disintegration rates (by 70%) and permeability (by 83%). A 4 cm solidified layer achieved higher Ca2+ utilization, while an 8 cm layer matched or exceeded 4 cm performance with shorter curing. Calcite crystals dominated CaCO3 formation. Crucially, reagent dosage should approximate four times the target layer’s requirement to ensure efficacy. These findings demonstrate that MICP, when optimized, effectively stabilizes ditch slopes using minimal reagents, providing a sustainable strategy for agricultural soil conservation.
Source: Water
DOI: 10.3390/w17132010
Authors: Xinran Huang, Jiang Li, Mingxiao Su, Xiyun Jiao, Qiuming Wu, Zhe Gu
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Awards: G1510359896, G5278949556, G6937175815
OpenAlex ID: W4412038896