KGS Awards Lectures : Application of Microbiologically Induced Soil Stabilization Technique for Dust Suppression

Abstract

A novel concept of using microbial metabolic byproduct, calcium carbonate, has been developed for the control of fugitive dusts. This microbial dust suppression is based on the calcite precipitation induced by soil microorganism, Sporosarcina pasteurii, in which calcite matrices formed promote aggregation of dust particles. This type of mineral cementation has shown a great potential to aggregate loose soil particles, preventing surface erosion and furthermore plugging the permeable channels on the soil surface. To evaluate the dust suppressive potential of this microbial calcite, S. pasteurii was suspended in medium and applied to locally available well graded and poorly graded sands. The treated soil samples were tested via wind tunnels at intervals and mass losses were measured. Both types of the soil samples treated with S. pasteurii formed a crust-like layer on the surface and showed a significant reduction in mass loss. This study has demonstrated the potential of this microbially-mediated process as an effective, environmentally friendly means of airborne fugitive dust control.