Laboratory Investigations on the Effects of Bacteria on Fine-Grained Soils

Sowmya, S; Meenu, P. S.; Latha, R. Asha; Singh, Devendrá

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/aef.21.352

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…To add to this list of woes, which makes this situation more complex, but realistic, the microbial (bacterial, fungal, pathogenic, viral and algal) activities pose a major threat to the geoenvironment. Incidentally, the author, a geotechnical engineer who as a student was averse to biology, was induced to take up this challenge by biosavvy and enthusiastic young researchers [106,[164][165][166][167]190]. Another challenge being faced, in this context, is the multi-phase state of geomaterials, which makes it not-so-easy task to simulate and monitor the influence of contaminants on geomaterials and the mechanisms prevailing in them [26,72,73].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novel Techniques to Simulate and Monitor Contaminant–Geomaterial Interactions

Singh

2019

Indian Geotech J

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Generation of huge amount of the toxic and hazardous wastes coming out of various industrial and domestic activities is becoming a major threat to the society. In the long run, mainly because of nonscientific storage, disposal and closure, and due to the presence of undesirable concentration(s) of chemicals and radionuclides, elevated temperatures and microbial activity, these wastes (read contaminants) interact with geomaterials, viz., soils, rock mass, groundwater. This interaction, termed as contaminant-geomaterial interaction, depending upon the severity of the contaminant(s) and interaction time, might alter overall characteristics of the geomaterials. Unfortunately, conventional laboratory and field instrumentation techniques are not well equipped to capture such interaction(s) and the mechanisms that prevail in the geomaterials. Hence, to achieve these objectives, evolving adequate and workable strategies, and modalities, that are nondestructive, noninvasive and economical is desirable. In this context, author's association with several industries resulted in development of innovative, cost-effective, yet efficient techniques that facilitate laboratory and/or in situ simulation and monitoring of such interaction(s). Details of these techniques, the philosophy behind their creation and the way they can be employed for safeguarding geoenvironment, from deterioration, are presented and discussed in this paper. Also, a brief discussion on some of the real-life situations where such techniques can be applied easily, by suitably modifying them, is presented for the benefit of the aspiring researchers and professionals.

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