Microbial Dust Suppression

本研究的主要目的是利用一种新的微生物抑尘技术。由首席研究员进行的微生物修复混凝土和结构裂缝的先前和正在进行的研究结果已经确定了这种技术在粘接细尘颗粒和堵塞土壤表面裂缝方面的潜在应用。关键部分是微生物学和岩土工程之间的密切合作。研究计划包括：(1)生物实验室实验；(2)岩土实验室实验，确定抑尘优化设计；(3)中试现场实施，验证所开发的微生物抑尘方法。本研究的智力价值在于引入一种新的、先进的、创新的抑尘方法，这种方法对环境安全、友好。这项研究的成功可能为微生物学和岩土工程之间的许多跨学科研究提供了重要的突破口，这些研究仍处于起步阶段。许多这样的领域有待探索，包括考察土壤固结，改善极软土壤，降低土壤渗透性，控制污染的含水层等，使用微生物技术。这项研究产生的更广泛的影响将是直接和实质性的，因为开发环境安全但有效的抑尘方法一直是许多科学家和工程师最感兴趣的问题之一。南达科他州运输部将参与这项研究，计划通过其当地交通援助计划在整个南达科他州传播研究结果。最终，预计传播将覆盖整个美国和国外的运输界。拉皮德市垃圾填埋办公室也将参与并计划扩大微生物粉尘抑制技术，以阻止或减少与市政垃圾填埋作业有关的逸散粉尘颗粒。此外，在NSF REU计划的额外补充资金下，将招募代表性不足的学生并积极参与该项目。这些学生将被鼓励参与动手实验，分析和收集数据。他们可以贡献他们的知识来改善印第安保留地内的粉尘抑制。这项研究的结果将发表在技术期刊和会议论文集上。研究结果也将通过互联网网站公布，方便感兴趣的科学家和工程师查阅。还将通过各种媒体基础设施向公众发布数据，以提高公众对自然环境中微生物作用的兴趣和认识。

The main objective of this research is to utilize a novel microbial technique in dust suppression. Results from previous and ongoing studies by the principal investigator on microbial remediation of concrete and structural cracks have identified potential application of such technique in cementing fine dust particles and plugging cracks on the soil surface. The key component is close collaboration between Microbiology and Geotechnical Engineering. The research plan includes: (1) bench-scale biological laboratory study, (2) geotechnical laboratory experiments to identify the optimum design of dust suppression, and (3) pilot-scale field implementation for the validation of the developed microbial method of dust suppression. The intellectual merit of this research is to introduce a new, advanced and innovative approach for dust suppression that is environmentally safe and friendly. The success of this study may provide an important inroad for many future interdisciplinary efforts between Microbiology and Geotechnical Engineering that are still in infancy. Many such areas are left to be explored including the expedition of soil consolidation, improvement of extremely soft soils, reduction of soil permeability, containment of contaminated aquifers, etc., using microbial techniques. The broader impacts resulting from this study will be immediate and substantial due to the fact that the development of environmentally safe but effective methods of dust suppression has been one of the most prime interests among many scientists and engineers. The South Dakota Department of Transportation, which will participate in this research, plans to disseminate the research results throughout South Dakota through its Local Transportation Assistance Program. Eventually, the dissemination is expected to reach the entire transportation community in US and abroad. The Rapid City Landfill Office will also participate and plan to expand the microbial dust suppression technique for the arrest or reduction of fugitive dust particles associated with the municipal landfill operations. In addition, with additional supplemental funding from NSF REU program, underrepresented students will be recruited and actively participate in the project. These students will be encouraged to participate in hands-on experiments and analysis and assembly of data. They can contribute their knowledge to the improvement in dust suppression inside the Indian Reservations. The results of this study will be published in technical journals and conference proceedings. The study results will also be made available through the Internet website for easy access by interested scientists and engineers. Dissemination of data to the public will also be made through a variety of media infrastructure to enhance public interests and awareness of the role of microorganisms in natural environment.