Thesis

Developing fungal induced calcium carbonate precipitation for geotechnical applications

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2026
Thesis identifier
  • T18182
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 202179754
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Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • Within a geotechnical engineering context, erosion can be problematic and impact on geotechnical and civil infrastructure. Erosion processes can trigger slope instabilities and soil mobilised as a result of slope erosion and slope failures can accumulate on neighbouring infrastructure, typically roads and railway tracks leading to major disruption with social and economic impacts. Prior research has demonstrated that treatment of granular soils with saprotrophic fungus can improve soil resistance to erosion due to the extensive filamentous network, mycelium, which forms as the fungus grows. This thesis extends fungal treatment from not only growth, but also to precipitation of carbonate minerals and thus, focuses on developing a fungal-induced carbonate precipitation (FICP) process which could be applied to reduce soil erosion. While recent studies have indicated that FICP can strengthen sands, these have relied upon the use of Ascomycetes, prolific spore formers. This thesis explores an alternative approach via the use of Basidiomycetes to trigger FICP. Five Basidiomycetes (Sistotrema brinkmannii, Bjerkandera adusta, Pleurotus cornucopiae, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pleurotus pulmonarius) were screened for their growth behaviour and ureolytic activity. Batch experiments were conducted to understand the influence of cementing solution concentration and ratio, biomass and pH on carbonate precipitation. Finally, FICP treatment was applied to sand columns and varying treatment strategies were investigated. Of the five fungal species investigated Pleurotus cornucopiae was found to be the most ureolytically active. Batch experiment results show that higher biomasses result in higher carbonate precipitation at elevated cementing solution concentrations. For FICP, here a ratio of 1:4 (calcium chloride to urea) was found to be optimal for carbonate precipitation. Treatment of sand columns indicated that increasing the number of treatment cycles, resulted in progressive increases in carbonate content, achieving carbonate contents up to 2.22%. This research has developed the proof-of-concept that Pleurotus cornucopiae and other Basidiomycetes could be used to trigger FICP for ground engineering applications via a two-step: growth and treat strategy.
Advisor / supervisor
  • El Mountassir, Gráinne
  • Lunn, Rebecca
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DOI

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