Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Strength enhancement of lateritic soil through mechanical mixing with magnetite nanoparticles, starch solution, and calcite precipitating bacteria

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to strengthen lateritic soil through a biogeochemical process. The solution curtails the project’s cost by eliminating expansive ground improvement and negating deep foundation construction. The conventional technologies for ground treatment mostly consist of chemical processes that harm the environment through lithospheric pollution due to subsurface migration of the toxic compounds as leachate. The improvement of soil strength through the biogeochemical process was undertaken through calcite precipitation using ureolytic microorganisms. A gram-positive bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, was used, precipitating CaCO3 within the soil and improving strength through chemical bonding. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were added with the microorganisms for growth acceleration and metabolic improvement, which caused enhanced precipitation of CaCO3 in the soil. Starch solutions were also added to prevent agglomeration of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Four different sets of experiments were carried out, namely (i) untreated soil, (ii) soil treated with cementation solution, (iii) soil treated with microorganism as well as cementation solution, and (iv) soil treated with the microorganism, Fe3O4/starch solution, and cementation solution. The higher amount of CaCO3 precipitation under this condition perhaps increased the UCS value of the lateritic soil. Soil column was treated with a bacterial cell concentration of 2.30 × 107 (cell/ml) at OD600 value 0.38, the compressive strength of soil increased from 22.60 to 29.62 kPa, that is almost 30%, after increasing cell concentration of 4.09 × 107 (cell/ml) at OD600 value, 0.58 compressive strength of soil becomes 34.18 kPa, which is almost 50% strength increase than natural soil sample. The higher amount of CaCO3 precipitation under this condition perhaps increased the UCS value of the laterite soil. In a further extensive study, an optimal amount of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was added to two different concentrations of bacterial solutions 2.30 × 107 (cell/ml) and 4.09 × 107 (cell/ml), respectively. After treating soil columns, the UCS test result shows a significant improvement of strength (i.e., 77%) in the soil column due to the addition of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The study’s outcome provides the engineers and contractors with a cost-effective alternative solution for in situ ground improvement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Qabany A, Mortensen B, Martinez B, Soga K, DeJong J. (2011) “Microbial carbonate precipitation: correlation of S-wave velocity with calcite precipitation.” In Geo-Frontiers 2011: Adv Geotech Engg, pp. 3993–4001

  • Bergado DT, Anderson LR, Miura N, Balasubramaniam AS (1996) Soft ground improvement in lowland and other environments. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY 978-0-7844-0151-4 (ISBN-13) | 0-7844-0151-9 (ISBN-10), 1996, Soft Cover, Pg. v, 427.

  • Cheng L, Cord-Ruwisch R, Shahin MA (2013) Cementation of sand soil by microbially induced calcite precipitation at various saturation degrees. Can Geotech J 50:81–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng L, Shahin MA, Cord-Ruwisch R (2017) Surface percolation for soil improvement by bio-cementation utilizing in situ enriched indigenous aerobic and anaerobic ureolytic soil microorganisms. Geomicrobiol J 34(6):546–556. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2016.1232766

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu J, Stabnikov V, Ivanov V (2012) Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation on the surface or in the bulk of soil. Geomicrobiol J 29(6):544–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chwalibog A, Sawosz E, Hotowy A, Szeliga J, Mitura S, Mitura K, Grodzik M, Orlowski P, Sokolowska A (2010) Visualization of interaction between inorganic nanoparticles and bacteria or fungi. Inter J Nanomed 5:1085–1094. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S13532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeJong JT, Fritzges MB, Nüsslein K (2006) Microbially induced cementation to control sand response to undrained shear. J Geotech Geoenviron Engg 132(11):1381–1392. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2006)132:11(1381)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickson JS, Koohmaraie M (1989) Am Soc Microbiol. Cell surface charge characteristics and their relationship to the bacterial attachment to meat surfaces. Appl Environ Microbiol 55(4):832–836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebrahiminezhad A, Bagher M, Taghizadeh SM, Berenjian A, Ghasemi Y (2016) Biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using microalgal secretory carbohydrates as a novel anticancer and antimicrobial. Adv Nat Sci: Nanosci Nanotechnol. 7. https://doi.org/10.1088/2043-6262/7/1/015018

  • Ehrlich HL (1997) Microbes and metals. App Microbiol Biotech 48(6):687–692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferris FG, Phoenix V, Fujita Y, Smith RW (2004) Kinetics of calcite precipitation induced by ureolytic bacteria at 10 to 20 C in artificial groundwater. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 68(8):1701–1710

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flores M, Colon N, Rivera O, Villalba N, Baez Y, Quispitupa D, Avalos J, Perales O. 2004. A study of the growth curves of C. xerosis and E. coli bacteria in mediums containing cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL.) 820:8.17.1–8.17.5

  • Fredrickson JK, Fletcher M (2001) Subsurface microbiology and biogeochemistry. Wiley, New York

  • Fujita Y, Taylor JL, Wendt LM, Reed DW, Smith RW (2010) Evaluating the potential of native ureolytic microbes to remediate a 90Sr contaminated environment. Environ Sci Tech 44(19):7652–7658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glocheux Y, Pasarín MM, Albadarin AB, Allen SJ, Walker GM (2013) Removal of arsenic from groundwater by adsorption onto an acidified laterite by-product. Chem Engg J 228:565–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haferburg G, Kothe E (2007) Microbes and metals: interactions in the environment. J Basic Microbiol 47(6):453–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiran GS, Thomas TA, Selvin J (2010) Production of a new glycolipid biosurfactant from marine Nocardiopsis lucentensis MSA04 in solid-state cultivation. Coll Surf B: Biointerfaces 78(1):8–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lacey J, Dutkiewicz J (1994) Bioaerosols and occupational lung disease. J Aero Sci 25(8):1371–1404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyon Associates, Inc (1971) Laterites and lateritic soils and other problem soils of Africa–an engineering study for agency for international development. Lyon Associates, Inc., Baltimore

  • Merced T, Santos S, Rivera O, Villalba N, Baez Y, Gaudier J, Avalos J, Perales O, Tomar MS, Parra-Palomino A, et al. 2005. Effect of zinc oxide nanocrystals in media containing E. coli and C. xerosis bacteria. MRS Proceedings, 900, 0900-O03-08. doi:https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-0900-O03-08

  • Mitchell JK, Santamarina JC (2005) Biological considerations in geotechnical engineering. J Geotech Geoenviron Engg 131:1222–1233. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2005)131:10(1222)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moosazadeh R, Tabandeh F, Kalantari F, Yazdian F (2019) Efficacy of Fe3O4/starch nanoparticles on Sporosarcina pasteurii performance in MICP process. Geomicrobiol J 36:359–365. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2018.1555295

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morita RY (1980) Calcite precipitation by marine bacteria. Geomicrobiol J 2(1):63–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490458009377751

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mörsdorf G, Kaltwasser H (1989) Ammonium assimilation in Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus pasteurii, and Sporosarcina ureae. Arch Microbiol 152(2):125–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osinubi KJ, Eberemu AO, Gadzama EW, Ijimdiya TS (2019) Plasticity characteristics of lateritic soil treated with Sporosarcina pasteurii in microbial-induced calcite precipitation application. SN App Sci 1(8):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakbaz MS, Alipour R (2012) Influence of cement addition on the geotechnical properties of an Iranian clay. App Clay Sci 67-68:1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2012.07.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pakbaz MS, Farzi M (2015) Comparison of the effect of mixing methods (dry vs. wet) on mechanical and hydraulic properties of treated soil with cement or lime. 105-106: 156-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2014.11.040

  • Paraskeva CA, Charalambous PC, Stokka LE, Klepetsanis PG, Koutsoukos PG, Read P, Ostvold T, Payatakes AC (2000) Sandbed consolidation with mineral precipitation. J Coll Inter Sci 232:326–339. https://doi.org/10.1006/jcis.2000.7161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramachandran SK, Ramakrishnan V, Bang SS (2001) Remediation of concrete using microorganisms. Inter Conc Abs Port 98(1):3–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Rebata-Landa V (2007) Microbial activity in sediments: effects on soil behavior. Ph.D. thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/19720

  • Seifan M, Sarmah AK, Samani AK, Ebrahiminezhad A, Ghasemi Y, Berenjian A (2018) Mechanical properties of bio self-healing concrete containing immobilized bacteria with iron oxide nanoparticles. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 102(10):4489–4498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8913-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stabnikov V, Naeimi M, Ivanov V, Chu J (2011) Formation of water-impermeable crust on sand surface using bio cement. Cem Conc Res 41(11):1143–1149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stocks-Fischer S, Galinat JK, Bang SS (1999) Microbiological precipitation of CaCO3. Soil Biol and Biochem 31(11):1563–1571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun X, Miao L, Tong T, Wang C (2018) Improvement of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation technology for sand solidification. J Mat Civil Engg 30(11):04018301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syama S (2020) Sporulation of Sporosarcena pasteurii (Bacillus pasteurii) on different nutrient medium in laboratory conditions. J Critic Rev 7(13):1598–1603

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Paassen LA, Ghose R, van der Linden TJM, van der Star WRL, van Loosdrecht MCM (2010) Quantifying bio-mediated ground improvement by ureolysis: large-scale bio-grout experiment. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136(12):1721–1728

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang YM, Cao X, Liu GH, Hong RY, Chen YM, Chen XF, Li HZ, Xu B, Wei DG (2011) Synthesis of Fe3O4 magnetic fluid used for magnetic resonance imaging and hyperthermia. J Mag Mag Mat 323(23):2953–2959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2011.05.060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiffin VS (2004) Microbial CaCO3 precipitation for the production of bio cement.Ph.D. Thesis. Murdoch University, Western Australia

  • Whiffin VS, Van Paassen LA, Harkes MP (2007) Microbial carbonate precipitation as a soil improvement technique. Geomicrobiol J 24(5):417–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Q, Lin L, Li C, Zhang H, Amini F (2014) A full contact flexible mold for preparing samples based on microbial-induced calcite precipitation technology. Geotech Test J 37(5):917–921

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors express their wholehearted gratitude to the Department of Civil Engineering, the Department of Biotechnology, and the Department of Earth & Environmental Studies, NIT Durgapur, West Bengal, India for providing all necessary support and assistance to carry out the present research. The authors also wish to convey their sincere thanks to the director of NIT, Durgapur, West Bengal, India, for his constant encouragement all throughout the present study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India

    Joyprakash Naskar

  2. Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India

    Subhadeep Chowdhury & Sufia Khannam Kazy

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur, West Bengal, 713209, India

    Avishek Adhikary & Supriya Pal

Authors
  1. Joyprakash Naskar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Subhadeep Chowdhury
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Avishek Adhikary
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Supriya Pal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sufia Khannam Kazy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joyprakash Naskar.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zeynal Abiddin Erguler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Naskar, J., Chowdhury, S., Adhikary, A. et al. Strength enhancement of lateritic soil through mechanical mixing with magnetite nanoparticles, starch solution, and calcite precipitating bacteria. Arab J Geosci 14, 1901 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08243-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08243-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation