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Effect of microbial-induced calcite precipitation on shear strength of gold mine tailings

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Abstract

Mine tailings are often considered problematic materials because of their loose depositional fabric and susceptibility to static and cyclic liquefaction failures. Yet, they are often stored behind tailings’ dams in a highly saturated state, posing significant environmental, social, and economical hazards. This study examines the application of a microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) technique to improve the shear strength of gold mine tailings. For this purpose, tailings’ specimens were mixed with an enriched solution of Sporosarcina pasteurii (containing 1.2 × 108 colony forming units per milliliter) and tamped in a direct shear box. The specimens were then consolidated to different normal stress levels (100–400 kPa) and injected with 6, 12, 18, and 24 cycles of a cementation solution containing CaCl2 (25, 50, 100, 200 mM), urea (333 mM), and NH4Cl (374 mM) via a customized upper cap prior to shearing. Shear strength comparisons in specimens with and without treatment showed a positive effect of MICP on strength parameters of saturated tailings. Compared to those of the untreated specimens, the cohesion intercept and friction angle of treated tailings specimens were improved by about 19 kPa and 5°, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were further carried out to examine changes in tailings microstructural fabric and composition following MICP treatment.

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Funding

This research was funded through an “Early Researcher Award” from the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science.

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  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada

    Hamed Behzadipour & Abouzar Sadrekarimi

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  1. Hamed Behzadipour
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  2. Abouzar Sadrekarimi
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AS conceived and designed research, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and developed plots. HB conducted experiments, analyzed data, and wrote the initial draft. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hamed Behzadipour.

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Behzadipour, H., Sadrekarimi, A. Effect of microbial-induced calcite precipitation on shear strength of gold mine tailings. Bull Eng Geol Environ 82, 331 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03357-3

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