Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Effective Use of Plant-Derived Urease in the Field of Geoenvironmental/ Geotechnical Engineering

Abstract

Dilrukshi RAN and Satoru Kawasaki

Geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering applications currently being explored through bio mineralization process include cementation of sands to improve mechanical properties and hence, to enhance bearing capacity and liquefaction resistance, sequestration of carbon, soil erosion control via surficial stabilization, groundwater flow control and remediation of soil and groundwater impacted by metals and radionuclides. Bio mediated system broadly refers to a chemical reaction series that are managed and controlled through biological activities and byproducts resulting from those reactions alter the properties of material in the system. Bio mediated methods such as microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP), biofilm formation, biogas generation and biopolymers have been developed by injecting or stimulating microbes. MICP is the most widely explored method. Microbes having urease activity enhance the hydrolysis of urea and it helps to control the pH and to precipitate carbonate. Although it is a widely explored bio mediated method it has some disadvantages. The plant-derived urease may offer many benefits over microbial urease to induce carbonate cementation. Therefore, it is advantageous to explore the knowledge regarding such a technique as an eco-friendly method for different applications in the fields of geoenvironmental/geotechnical Engineering. The main objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the importance of plant-derived urease for different applications in the fields of geoenvironmental/ geotechnical engineering. The information presented in this paper may be important for biotechnologists/geoengineers to have wide ranging updates on the current situation.