Li, Chi , Li, Shuanhu , Xing, Jiawei , Gao, Yu , Yao, De
2025-04-01 ACTA GEOTECHNICA 2025 20(卷), 4(期), (1921-1934页)
Mobile sand dunes have been recognized as quite tricky natural disaster in Central and Western China. Consequently, proposing an effective and environmentally friendly method to combat mobile sand dunes is of great significance. In this study, a combined technology, enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) and sand plants, is proposed to control the mobile sand dunes. Laboratory experiments and large-scale on-site tests were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of this combined technology to improve the success rate for treating mobile sand dunes. The results showed that using a first spray solution before germination with concentrations of 0.05 mol/L (calcium source solution) and 10 g/L (urease solution), the sand plants (Alfalfa, Astragalus, and Sarcozygium) had an optimal germination rate. For the second spray solution after germination, it is recommended to employ a solution comprising 0.05 mol/L, 40 g/L at an application amount of 4 L/m2 (spray amount), using a one-phase injection method to improve the spray efficiency, which had the highest strength, the best water retention, and the best erosion resistance. Therefore, wind erosion resistance during on-site test was significantly improved, and the desert sands in the Ulanbuh Desert were not affected by wind for 60 days or more. The results demonstrated that combined technology was effective in preventing mobile sand dune movement, which presents promising potential for wide application in desert area.