Citation:

Proudfoot, D., L. Brooks, C. Gammons, E. Barth, D. Bless, R. Nagisetty, AND E. Lauchnor. Investigating the potential for microbially induced carbonate precipitation to treat mine waste. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 424 part C:127490, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127490

Impact/Purpose:

Research in this field has indicated that after MICP application porosity and permeability of porous media might be reduced resulting in surficial protection and increased material strength. MICP was shown to be effective in producing calcite precipitation as a subsurface saltwater intrusion biocement barrier [11] under a wide range of environmental conditions and inferred that MICP would be suitable as an in situ environmental remediation treatment strategy. Furthermore researchers interested in the feasibility of using biocement in the construction of aquaculture ponds and reservoirs have induced a calcite crust capable of reducing seepage rates by nearly three orders of magnitude in sand columns [12]. Research in this field has indicated that after MICP application porosity and permeability of porous media might be reduced resulting in surficial protection and increased material strength. MICP was shown to be effective in producing calcite precipitation as a subsurface saltwater intrusion biocement barrier [11] under a wide range of environmental conditions and inferred that MICP would be suitable as an in situ environmental remediation treatment strategy. Furthermore researchers interested in the feasibility of using biocement in the construction of aquaculture ponds and reservoirs have induced a calcite crust capable of reducing seepage rates by nearly three orders of magnitude in sand columns [12].Studies have examined the efficacy of using MICP to develop a surface coating to consolidate coal fly ash and immobilize heavy metals in acidic copper mine tailings[25-28]. Over a 23-day experiment, Buikema et al. investigated stabilization of fine grained mine tailings using MICP to limit the potential for dust events by inducing surficial calcium carbonate mineral [28].They showed that native urea-degrading microbial population present in the tailings were capable of producing a crust similar to model laboratory strains of ureolytic bacteria [28].

Description:

In this study, the feasibility of promoting microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in mine waste piles by using an environmental bacterial enrichment is explored, with goals to reduce metals and acid leaching. MICP has been explored for remediation applications and stabilization of mine waste. Here, we utilize a native bacterial enrichment to promote MICP on seven mine waste samples with variability in acid production and extent of toxic metal leaching. During fifteen applications of MICP solutions and bacteria on waste rock in bench-scale columns, calcium carbonate formed on grain surfaces within all waste samples, though microscopy revealed uneven distribution of CaCO3 coating. In this study, the feasibility of promoting microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in mine waste piles by using an environmental bacterial enrichment is explored, with goals to reduce metals and acid leaching. MICP has been explored for remediation applications and stabilization of mine waste. Here, we utilize a native bacterial enrichment to promote MICP on seven mine waste samples with variability in acid production and extent of toxic metal leaching. During fifteen applications of MICP solutions and bacteria on waste rock in bench-scale columns, calcium carbonate formed on grain surfaces within all waste samples, though microscopy revealed uneven distribution of CaCO3 coating. In this study, the feasibility of promoting microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in mine waste piles by using an environmental bacterial enrichment is explored, with goals to reduce metals and acid leaching. MICP has been explored for remediation applications and stabilization of mine waste. 

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