An investigation into enhancing sand stability and minimizing dust emissions through bacterial treatment in arid regions

Desertification and wind erosion in arid regions demand sustainable solutions beyond conventional methods. This study investigates the efficacy of Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) for sand stabilization in the Taklimakan Desert, employing Sporosarcina pasteurii to induce calcium carbonate crust formation. Field trials on man-made dunes and trapezoidal sandy land applied bacterial and cementation solutions (urea, calcium chloride, nutrients) in varying frequencies (1-8 spray cycles). Comprehensive evaluations included bearing capacity tests, wind erosion measurements (erosion pins), crust thickness analysis, and permeability assessments, supported by SEM, XRD, and EDS to elucidate microstructural changes. Results demonstrate that MICP treatment significantly enhances surface stability, achieving bearing capacities of 346.67 kPa (trapezoidal land) and 298.67 kPa (dunes) while reducing wind erosion by 95% (from 100.56 mm to < 5.06 mm). Crust thickness reached 21.02 mm, with SEM revealing dense CaCO₃ networks filling > 90% of interparticle pores. The treatment's environmental resilience was validated through dry-wet cycle tests (5 cycles, < 2.9% mass loss) and reduced permeability (1.2 × 10⁻⁴ cm/s), confirming its durability under fluctuating climatic conditions. The 8-spray-cycle protocol emerged as optimal, leveraging sequential bioaugmentation and biostimulation to maximize calcite precipitation. These findings position MICP as a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods, offering superior mechanical performance, environmental compatibility, and long-term viability for desertification mitigation in arid ecosystems.