Effect analysis of biomineralization for solidifying desert sands
Linchang Miao, Hengxing Wang, Xiaohao Sun, Linyu Wu, Guangcai Fan
Abstract
The sand-dust weather has become an environmental hazard in the world. However, it is still a challenge to control sandstorms and decrease sand-dust weather. The biomineralization technology for solidifying desert sands has been developed as a novel method in recent years. In this study, the wind erosion tests, and verification tests of the solidification sand system of the biomineralization solidification sands were conducted via a series of laboratory experiments. The effects of sand barriers, injecting volume and concentration of the biochemical solution in the sandstorm protect were studied. Moreover, a field test of 60,000 square meters was conducted at the solidification area on both sides of the Wuma highway in the Tengri Desert. The biomineralization technique was used to solidify sand at the solidification area to prevent the wind from blowing quicksand onto the newly built highway and causing accidents. Results demonstrated that the biomineralization solidification sand method had a good solidification sand effect, improved the survival rate, and promoted the growth of plants in the desert. This innovative biomineralization technology is an environmentally responsible technology to control sandstorm disasters.