Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An experimental study of mitigating coastal sand dune erosion by microbial- and enzymatic-induced carbonate precipitation

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Due to more extreme weather events and accelerating sea-level rise, coastal sand dunes are subjected to more frequent storm wave inundation and surge impacts, which contribute to widespread coastal erosion problems. In this study, two novel bio-mediated methods, microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and enzymatic-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP), were investigated and compared for their effectiveness in mitigating sand dune erosion under wave attack. Small-scale laboratory model tests were performed on MICP-treated, EICP-treated, and untreated sand dunes at dune slope angles and two wave intensities for up to 2 h. The cross-shore profile was captured continuously during the course of the erosion test. The erosion volume above the still water level (SWL) and landward retreat distance at the SWL were calculated based on the captured bed profiles. The results show that both EICP and MICP could substantially reduce sand dune erosion at mild-to-moderate wave and dune slope conditions. However, the effectiveness of MICP treatment deteriorated at steeper dune slopes with longer period of wave attack. Under the most adverse condition (i.e., steepest dune slope, biggest wave, and longest period of wave attack), neither EICP nor MICP could effectively mitigate erosion. Fundamentally, the variable effectiveness of MICP and EICP treatment for sand dune erosion control was attributed to the spatial distribution pattern of formed calcite precipitation, which was determined by the way how EICP and MICP were applied. The calcite precipitation was relatively uniform in EICP-treated sand dunes. In MICP-treated ones, however, substantial calcite precipitation concentrated in the shallow surface layer as confirmed by the surface penetration test and SEM observation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Al Qabany A, Soga K (2013) Effect of chemical treatment used in MICP on engineering properties of cemented soils. Géotechnique 63(4):331–339. https://doi.org/10.1680/bcmpge.60531.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. ASTM (2017) Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (unified soil classification system). American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  3. Aydan Ö, Sato A, Yagi M (2014) The inference of geo-mechanical properties of soft rocks and their degradation from needle penetration tests. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47(5):1867–1890. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0477-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Borsje BW, van Wesenbeeck BK, Dekker F, Paalvast P, Bouma TJ, van Katwijk MM, de Vries MB (2011) How ecological engineering can serve in coastal protection. Ecol Eng 37(2):113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.11.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bouma TJ, van Belzen J, Balke T et al (2014) Identifying knowledge gaps hampering application of intertidal habitats in coastal protection: opportunities and steps to take. Coast Eng 87:147–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.11.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Cheng L, Cord-Ruwisch R, Shahin MA (2013) Cementation of sand soil by microbially induced calcite precipitation at various degrees of saturation. Can Geotech J 50(1):81–90. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2012-0023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cheng L, Shahin MA, Chu J (2019) Soil bio-cementation using a new one-phase low-pH injection method. Acta Geotech 14(3):615–626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-018-0738-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cheng L, Shahin MA, Cord-Ruwisch R (2014) Bio-cementation of sandy soil using microbially induced carbonate precipitation for marine environments. Géotechnique 64(12):1010–1013. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.14.t.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cheng L, Shahin MA, Mujah D (2017) Influence of key environmental conditions on microbially induced cementation for soil stabilization. J Geotech Geoenviron 143(1):04016083. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Chu J, Ivanov V, Naeimi M, Stabnikov V, Liu HL (2014) Optimization of calcium-based bioclogging and biocementation of sand. Acta Geotech 9(2):277–285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-013-0278-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chu J, Stabnikov V, Ivanov V (2012) Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation on surface or in the bulk of soil. Geomicrobiol J 29(6):544–549. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2011.592929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. DeJong JT, Soga K, Kavazanjian E et al (2013) Biogeochemical processes and geotechnical applications: Progress, opportunities and challenges. Géotechnique 63(4):287–301. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.sip13.p.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Feng K, Montoya BM (2015) Influence of confinement and cementation level on the behavior of microbial-induced calcite precipitated sands under monotonic drained loading. J Geotech Geoenviron 142(1):04015057. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Gao Y, Tang X, Chu J, He J (2019) Microbially induced calcite precipitation for seepage control in sandy soil. Geomicrobiol J 36(4):366–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2018.1556750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gat D, Ronen Z, Tsesarsky M (2017) Long-term sustainability of microbial-induced CaCO3 precipitation in aqueous media. Chemosphere 184:524–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemos

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gomez MG, Martinez BC, DeJong JT, Hunt CE, deVlaming LA, Major DW, Dworatzek SM (2015) Field-scale bio-cementation tests to improve sands. Proc Inst Civ Eng Ground Improv 168(3):206–216. https://doi.org/10.1680/grim.13.00052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hamdan N, Kavazanjian E (2016) Enzyme-induced carbonate mineral precipitation for fugitive dust control. Géotechnique 66(7):546–555. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.15.p.168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Harkes MP, van Paassen LA, Booster JL, Whiffin VS, van Loosdrecht MCM (2010) Fixation and distribution of bacterial activity in sand to induce carbonate precipitation for ground reinforcement. Ecol Eng 36(2):112–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.01.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Horn DP, Baldock TE, Li L (2007) The influence of groundwater on profile evolution of fine and coarse sand beaches. In: Proceedings of 6th international symposium on coastal engineering and science of coastal sediment process, pp 506–519. https://doi.org/10.1061/40926(239)38

  20. Jiang NJ, Liu R, Du Y, Bi Y (2019) Microbial induced carbonate precipitation for immobilizing Pb contaminants: toxic effects on bacterial activity and immobilization efficiency. Sci Total Environ 672:722–731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Jiang NJ, Soga K (2017) The applicability of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) for internal erosion control in gravel–sand mixtures. Géotechnique 67(1):42–55. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.15.p.182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Jiang NJ, Soga K (2019) Erosional behavior of gravel–sand mixtures stabilized by microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP). Soils Found 59(3):699–709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2019.02.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Jiang NJ, Soga K, Kuo M (2017) Microbially induced carbonate precipitation for seepage-induced internal erosion control in sand–clay mixtures. J Geotech Geoenviron 143(3):04016100. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Jiang NJ, Tang CS, Hata T, Courcelles B, Dawoud O, Singh DN (2020) Bio-mediated soil improvement: the way forward. Soil Use Manag 36(2):185–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Jiang NJ, Tang CS, Yin LY, Xie YH, Shi B (2019) Applicability of microbial calcification method for sandy-slope surface erosion control. J Mater Civil Eng 31(11):04019250. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Jiang NJ, Yoshioka H, Yamamoto K, Soga K (2016) Ureolytic activities of a urease-producing bacterium and purified urease enzyme in the anoxic condition: implication for subseafloor sand production control by microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). Ecol Eng 90:96–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.01.073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kavazanjian E, Hamdan N (2015) Enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) columns for ground improvement. In: IFCEE 2015, pp 2252–2261. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479087.209

  28. Keykha HA, Huat BBK, Asadi A (2014) Electrokinetic stabilization of soft soil using carbonate-producing bacteria. Geotech Geol Eng 32(4):739–747. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-014-9753-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kobayashi N, Buck M, Payo A, Johnson B (2009) Berm and dune erosion during a storm. J Waterw Port Coast 135(1):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-950x(2009)135:1(1)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Lin H, Suleiman MT, Brown DG, Kavazanjian E (2015) Mechanical behavior of sands treated by microbially induced carbonate precipitation. J Geotech Geoenviron 142(2):04015066. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. National Research Council (1990) Managing coastal erosion. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  32. Neupane D, Yasuhara H, Kinoshita N, Unno T (2013) Applicability of enzymatic calcium carbonate precipitation as a soil-strengthening technique. J Geotech Geoenviron 139(12):2201–2211. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0000959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. O’Donnell ST, Rittmann BE, Kavazanjian E (2017) MIDP: Liquefaction mitigation via microbial denitrification as a two-stage process. I: desaturation. J Geotech Geoenviron 143(12):04017094. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)gt.1943-5606.0001818

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Roberts J, Jepsen R, Gotthard D, Lick W (1998) Effects of particle size and bulk density on erosion of quartz particles. J Hydraul Eng 124(12):1261–1267. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9429(1998)124:12(1261)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Romine BM, Fletcher CH (2013) A summary of historical shoreline changes on beaches of Kauai, Oahu, and Maui, Hawaii. J Coastal Res 288:605–614. https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-11-00202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Salifu E, MacLachlan E, Iyer KR, Knapp CW, Tarantino A (2016) Application of microbially induced calcite precipitation in erosion mitigation and stabilisation of sandy soil foreshore slopes: a preliminary investigation. Eng Geol 201:96–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2015.12.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Shanahan C, Montoya BM (2014) Strengthening coastal sand dunes using microbial-induced calcite precipitation. Proc Geocong 2014:1683–1692. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413272.165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Shashank B, Kuntikana G, Jiang NJ, Singh DN (2020) Investigations on biosorption and biogenic calcite precipitation in sands. Soil Use Manag. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Tang CS, Yin LY, Jiang NJ, Zhu C, Zeng H, Li H, Shi B (2020) Factors affecting the performance of microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) treated soil: a review. Environ Earth Sci 79(5):1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-8840-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. van Thiel de Vries MRA, van Thiel JSM, Coeveld EM, de Vroeg JH, van de Graaff J (2008) Large-scale dune erosion tests to study the influence of wave periods. Coast Eng 55(12):1041–1051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2008.04.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. van Rijn LC, Tonnon PK, Sánchez-Arcilla A, Cáceres I, Grüne J (2011) Scaling laws for beach and dune erosion processes. Coast Eng 58(7):623–636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2011.01.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Wang X, Tao J, Bao R, Tran T, Tucker-Kulesza S (2018) Surficial soil stabilization against water-induced erosion using polymer-modified microbially induced carbonate precipitation. J Mater Civil Eng 30(10):04018267. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0002490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Wang YJ, Han XL, Jiang NJ, Wang J, Feng J (2019) The effect of enrichment media on the stimulation of native ureolytic bacteria in calcareous sand. Int J Environ Sci Tech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02541-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Whiffin VS, van Paassen LA, Harkes MP (2007) Microbial carbonate precipitation as a soil improvement technique. Geomicrobiol J 24(5):417–423. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490450701436505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Yasuhara H, Neupane D, Hayashi K, Okamura M (2012) Experiments and predictions of physical properties of sand cemented by enzymatically-induced carbonate precipitation. Soils Found 52(3):539–549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2012.05.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Yu X, Qian C, Xue B (2016) Loose sand particles cemented by different bio-phosphate and carbonate composite cement. Constr Build Mater 113:571–578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Zhu T, Dittrich M (2016) Carbonate precipitation through microbial activities in natural environment, and their potential in biotechnology: a review. Front Bioeng Biotech 4:1–21. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2016.00004

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by Hawaii Department of Transportation (Grant No. 2020-4R-SUPP), Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) (Grant No. IUSSTF/JC-047/2018), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20170394), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51608004, 41772280) and Anhui Provincial for Sending Visiting Scholars to Research Abroad (Grant No. gxgwfx2018048).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, Anhui, China

    Kai-Wei Liu

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Kai-Wei Liu, Ning-Jun Jiang, Jun-De Qin, Yi-Jie Wang & Xiao-Le Han

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Jun-De Qin

  4. School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Chao-Sheng Tang

Authors
  1. Kai-Wei Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ning-Jun Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jun-De Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yi-Jie Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chao-Sheng Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xiao-Le Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ning-Jun Jiang.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, KW., Jiang, NJ., Qin, JD. et al. An experimental study of mitigating coastal sand dune erosion by microbial- and enzymatic-induced carbonate precipitation. Acta Geotech. 16, 467–480 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-01046-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-01046-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation