01741015

Monograph

http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/180681.aspx

Biological mineralization processes have been shown in laboratory studies to have promise to solve common soil engineering problems. In soil stabilization via biomineralization, a microbial process is used to produce mineral crystals between soil grains or clods that bind them together into aggregations or a solid mass. This study broadens the knowledge of microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) treatments on various soil types, particularly soils subjected to wildfire and new construction through development of a more versatile technology herein referred to as BioCaN (biological soil treatments with calcium and nitrogen). In the study, different BioCaN soil applications were applied to burned, comparable unburned and clean sand soils in factorially designed laboratory experiments to test soil performance enhancement of six levels of treatment on key soil engineering properties. Naturally simulated conditions were created in the laboratory to test treated soils for wind erosion resistance, rainfall impact/sheet flow resistance, seed germination, vegetation reestablishment and surface strength crust development. The applications were also applied at three different field sites on sixteen plots to compare performance to existing technology including compost, newspaper pulp, seeding and fertilizer. In addition, an environmental study was completed to look at impacts of the microbial and chemical solutions to freshwater surface sources which determined that eutrophication is of concern as was originally suspected. The product developed in this research, BioCaN, is found to be a valuable tool to add to the erosion control toolbox. Although not able to be used in every condition, the BioCaN treatment is effective after fires, on sandy soils, on clayey soils, on steep slopes and gentle slopes. It aids in revegetation, and in some cases may accelerate revegetation. The technology has some environmental impacts, but these are similar to most of the environmental impacts associated with other technologies in the erosion control toolbox.

NCHRP IDEA Project 200

English

58p

2020-5

NCHRP-IDEA Program Project Final Report

Final Report

Digital/other

Appendices; Figures; References; Tables

Biodeterioration; Erosion control; Geotechnical engineering; Microbiology; Minerals; Slope stability; Slopes; Soil stabilization

Geotechnology; Highways

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

May 26 2020 3:01PM