Carbonate cementation via plant derived urease

N. Hamdan, Edward Kavazanjian, S. O'Donnell

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

The use of plant-derived urease enzyme to induce calcium carbonate (CaCO3) cementation has been demonstrated through laboratory column tests. Benefits of the use of plant-derived urease over the use of microbially-generated urease to induce carbonate cementation include the small size of the enzyme, which permits penetration into finer grained soils and makes the process less sensitive to bioplugging, and the availability of 100% of the carbon in the substrate for conversion to CaCO3. The laboratory column tests employed both Ottawa 20-30 silica sand and finer-grained F-60 silica sand. The laboratory column specimens were prepared in a variety of manners and showed varying degrees of cementation and carbonate yield. Triaxial tests performed on cemented specimens showed significant strength increases over non-cemented specimens. These tests confirm the feasibility of using plant-derived urease to induce carbonate cementation in sand and provide valuable insight into the factors that must be considered in developing practical applications for ureolytic carbonate precipitation using plant-derived urease enzyme.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
Subtitle of host publicationChallenges and Innovations in Geotechnics, ICSMGE 2013
PublisherIOS Press
Pages2489-2492
Number of pages4
Volume3
StatePublished - Jan 1 2013
Event18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ICSMGE 2013 - Paris, France
Duration: Sep 2 2013Sep 6 2013

Other

Other18th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, ICSMGE 2013
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period9/2/139/6/13

Keywords

  • Calcite
  • Carbonate
  • Cementation
  • Soil improvement
  • Urease

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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