Micro-Scale Analysis of Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation in Sandy Soil through SEM/FIB Imaging

Abstract

Microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has gained much attention in soil improvement studies, where it can enhance the physical properties of sandy soil. Small-scale sand cylinder tests were conducted to investigate the formation and failure of calcium carbonate precipitation bonding between individual sand particles. Bonding formation by precipitation was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis verified the existence of calcium, carbon, and oxygen, which could form CaCO 3 after MICP-treatment. Focused-ion-beam milling was applied to study the interior structure of calcium carbonate precipitation during the MICP process.