Mineralization crust field experiment for desert sand solidification based on enzymatic calcification

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Soil Science

Background:

• Sandstorms pose significant global natural disaster risks.
• Effective and eco-friendly sandstorm mitigation strategies are crucial.
• Desertification requires innovative solutions for soil stabilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate enzymatic calcification (EC) for desert sand solidification.
• To assess the impact of EC treatment on wind- and rainfall-erosion resistance.
• To determine optimal EC reactant concentrations and ratios for field application.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory experiments and field site tests were conducted.
• Enzymatic calcification (EC) treatment applied to desert sand.
• Wind-erosion and rainfall-erosion resistance were measured.
• Surface strength and crust layer thickness analyzed.

Main Results:

• EC treatment significantly improved wind- and rainfall-erosion resistance.
• Optimal EC parameters identified: 0.25 M reagent concentration and 0.8 urease/cementation solution ratio.
• Field tests showed increased surface strength and durable crust layers.
• EC demonstrated good ecological compatibility and enhanced desertification mitigation when combined with grass seeds.

Conclusions:

• Enzymatic calcification is a viable and effective technology for sandstorm mitigation.
• EC treatment enhances soil stability and erosion resistance in arid environments.
• The combined EC and grass seed approach shows significant promise for combating desertification.