Permeable rock matrix sealed with microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation: Evolutions of mechanical behaviors and associated microstructure

Microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising grouting material for subsurface remediation due to its water-like viscosity and excellent penetration. Current studies of MICP-grouting for subsurface remediation of both rock fractures and highly-permeable rock matrix focus on the spatio-temporal distribution of precipitated bio-CaCO₃ and the resulting reduction in permeability. Conversely, we focus on the improvement of mechanical response following MICP-grouting. We contrast the improved mechanical response of MICP-treated Berea sandstones with distinctly contrasting initial mechanical properties - contrasting associated pre- and post-treatment microstructures with various durations of MICP-grouting. Results indicate that although the precipitated CaCO₃ mass with time within these two rock types is similar, significant differences exist in the evolution of mechanical properties (UCS, Young's modulus and brittleness). The evolution of mechanical properties for the low-strength sandstone (initial UCS 25.7 MPa) exhibits three contrasting phases: an initial slow increase, followed by a rapid-increase and then saturation and asympotic response. After ten cycles of MICP-grouting, UCS, elastic modulus and brittleness index for low-strength sandstone increase by 229%, 179% and 177% compared with before grouting. In contrast, the mechanical properties for the high-strength sandstone (initial UCS 65.1 MPa) are not significantly enhanced, increasing UCS by only 22%, 14% and 12%. Imaging by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that the cementing minerals fill the quartz framework for the high-strength sandstone but are sparse for the low-strength sandstone. Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock consisting of a framework of quartz grains bonded by cementing minerals. For the high-strength sandstone infused with a large mass of cementing minerals, the calcium carbonate crystals only precipitate in the gaps between the cementing minerals or adhere to the cementing minerals. This is only capable of relatively limited enhancement in the bio-bonding strength and volume of the quartz framework. For the low-strength sandstone with fewer cementing minerals, the precipitated calcium carbonate is evenly distributed on the surfaces of the quartz gains. The bulk strength is progressively increased with the ongoing bio-cementation between quartz gains. Cementing mineral contents not only exert a considerable control on the integral mechanical properties and penetration for the sandstone, but also have a direct influence on the microscopic distribution of bio-accumulated CaCO₃, controlling the effectiveness of bio-cementation by incrementing the mechanical properties.