Dust stabilization using biological method against wind erosion

In areas with relatively warm and dry climates, dust and sandstorms are important problems influencing the health of people and daily activities. In this study, biological stabilization is investigated as a method to prevent erosion of fine soil particles by the wind as a fine dust that is widely distributed in the atmosphere. For this purpose, 3 volumes of bacterial and cementation solutions, 10, 15, and 20 ml, were sprayed on the surface of soil samples. Treated samples were cured for 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days in the laboratory. In this study, Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria formerly known as Bacillus pasteurii was used as the bio-agent. A wind tunnel was then used as apparatus to measure the resistance of the stabilized samples compared to untreated soil. Results showed an increase from roughly 350% on the first day to 2400% on the 28th day, in resistance against wind erosion for the stabilized samples compared to untreated samples, and therefore, biological stabilization is an appropriate alternative to improve soil resistance against wind erosion and reduce dust. The soil used in this study was sampled from Khuzestan province, which is the most important province involved in the issue of fine dust in Iran.