RAPID: Field Test on Application of Microbial Calcite to Reduce Desertification

这项快速研究奖（Rapid）研究的主要目标是通过实地试验确定将天然纤维和可生物降解的合成纤维与微生物方解石结合使用以控制风蚀引起的空气传播粉尘的可行性。长期目标是将这项技术用于减少正在世界许多地方发生的全球沙漠化的蔓延。因此，现场试验计划在沙漠环境中进行，包括两个对照场地，两个场地将沙子与不同数量的不含细菌的介质混合，两个场地将沙子与不同数量的含细菌的介质混合，四个场地将沙子与不同数量的含细菌和天然或生物可降解合成纤维的介质混合。详细的现场仪器将通过测量大约四个月期间的平均沙面高程变化来确定沙漠沙单位表面积的重量损失。利用培养基、细菌和纤维的相对有效性将通过减肥的定量分析来评估。粉尘抑制一直是建筑土方工程、采石场、露天采矿、未铺砌道路、垃圾填埋场等方面最关键的问题之一。目前可用的抑尘方法主要是化学或机械。因此，它们被认为与某些健康和环境问题有关。因此，有效而安全的粉尘控制方法将在许多方面产生重大的积极影响。本研究介绍了一种新的、先进的、创新的、环保、友好的抑尘方法。最终，预期开发的技术将用于减少目前正在世界许多地方发生的沙漠化蔓延。本研究的结果也可能为利用生物岩土技术研究土壤固结、改善极软土壤、降低土壤渗透性、控制受污染含水层等许多工程难题提供重要的突破口。

The main objective of this Rapid Research Award (RAPID) study is to identify the feasibility of using natural fibers and bio-degradable synthetic fibers in conjunction with microbial calcite to control airborne dusts caused by wind erosion through field tests. The long-term goal is to apply this technology for the reduction of the spread of global desertification that is being occurred in many parts around the world. The field tests are therefore planned to be conducted in desert environments, including two control sites, two sites with sand mixed with different amount of medium only without bacteria, two sites with sand mixed with different amount of medium containing bacteria, and four sites with sand mixed with different amount of medium containing bacteria and natural or bio-degradable synthetic fibers. Detailed field instrumentation will identify the weight loss per unit surface area of desert sand by measuring the average sand surface elevation change over a period of approximately four months. Relative effectiveness of utilizing medium, bacteria, and fibers will then be evaluated through a quantitative analysis of weight losses.Dust suppression has been one of the most critical problems associated with construction earthwork, quarries, open pit mining, unpaved roads, landfills, etc. Currently available methods of dust suppression are predominantly chemical or mechanical. By virtue, they are known to be associated with certain health and environmental problems. Effective but safe dust control method will therefore have significant positive impacts in many ways. This study introduces a new, advanced and innovative approach for dust suppression that is environmentally safe and friendly. Eventually, the developed technology is expected to be used to reduce the spread of desertification that is currently being occurred in many parts around the world. Results of this study may also provide an important inroad for many difficult engineering problems that have challenged engineers, including the expedition of soil consolidation, improvement of extremely soft soils, reduction of soil permeability, containment of contaminated aquifers, etc., using bio-based geotechnology.