A Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Approach to Sand Dunes Stabilization Using Vinasse and Indigenous Bacteria in MICP Technology.

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources university of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Soil Science, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources university of Khuzestan, Iran.

3 Department of Soil Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, university of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran.

4 Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Center, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Among emerging solutions to wind-erosion–driven sand dunes, stabilizing sand grains through an environmentally friendly MICP process offers a distinct, bio-based mechanism for enhancing sand stability relative to conventional methods. This study aimed to identify indigenous ureolytic bacteria suitable for Microbial Induced Calcium Precipitation (MICP) and to evaluate vinasse as a substrate to support MICP in arid-sand dune environments of southwestern Iran. Sand dunes were sampled; Bacteria were isolated and screened for urease activity and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. The effects of various parameters on bacterial growth, urease activity, and carbonic anhydrase production were assessed. Isolates’ growth in vinasse was tested, and CaCO3 precipitation was confirmed by XRD and FESEM. Seven Bacillus isolates were selected based on urease activity. Strain 1S5 showed the highest specific urease activity in response to Ni2+ and remained active across high urea concentrations across all incubation periods. Early CaCO3 precipitation was observed for strains 5D1, 1D2, 1D1, and 8S1, indicating carbonic anhydrase activity. All isolates grew in varying vinasse concentrations, and CaCO3 precipitation was observed in all strains, with the highest yields for indigenous Bacillus licheniformis strains 1S5, 1D1 and 1D2. The indigenous Bacillus strains, particularly strain 1S5, exhibit robust urease activity and CaCO3 precipitation under vinasse-containing conditions, supporting vinasse as a feasible substrate for MICP applications. Further optimization and field-relevant testing are warranted.

Keywords

Desert
Volume 30, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 141-172

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