Formation of water-impermeable crust on sand surface using biocement

Abstract

This paper examines the feasibility of using calcium-based biocement to form an impermeable crust on top of a sand layer. The biocement used was a mixture of calcium salt, urea, and bacterial suspension, which hydrolyzed urea with production of carbonate and an increase of the pH level. Applying 0.6 g of Ca per cm2 of sand surface, the permeability of the biocemented sand can be reduced from 10−4 m/s to 1.6•10−7 m/s (or 14 mm/day) due to formation of the crust on sand surface. The rupture modulus (maximum bending stress) of the crust was 35.9 MPa, which is comparable with that of limestone. The formation of a water-impermeable and high strength crust layer on sand surface could be useful for the construction of aquaculture ponds in sand, stabilization of the sand dunes, dust fixation in the desert areas, and sealing of the channels and reservoirs in sandy soil.