IN SITU PRECIPITATION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE (CACO3) BY INDIGENOUS MICROORGANISMS TO IMPROVE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A GEOMATERIAL

摘要

A method for increasing the concentration of calcium carbonate in a geomaterial that contains indigenous microorganisms capable of hydrolyzing urea to ammonia, which method includes enriching the geomaterial with a source of nutrients, adding urea to the geomaterial which is hydrolyzed to ammonia and which raises the pH of the geomaterial, and adding a source of calcium ions to the geomaterial. Carbonate ions obtained by the hydrolysis of the urea combine with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate.