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Evaluation of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) and vegetation interaction for soil rehabilitation

ID: W81EWF-23-SOI-0023 • Type: Posted

Description

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a form of biomediated geotechnical soil improvement that has been proposed to enhance the strength and hydraulic conductivity characteristics of soils and has been considered for a range of geotechnical applications (DeJong et al. 2006; 2014; 2022). MICP enhances geotechnical properties through the bacterial precipitation of calcite, which can act as a binding agent between particles in a soil mass. Although lab and field scale research has increasingly shown potential positive impact on engineering properties and applications, little is known about the interaction of an MICP-treated soil mass with vegetation and vegetative regrowth, which are important aspects for usability and sustainability of soil improvement techniques on many flood control infrastructure projects. Prior research has shown that MICP treated soils exhibited seedling growth but heavily treated MICP soils exhibited sparse vegetation growth (Ghasemi & Montoya, 2022). These findings suggest that a balance is needed between the biomediation to increase engineering properties and the concentration of MICP that inhibits vegetation growth. Understanding this balance is important for informing the potential for MICP implementation, particularly in light of the increasing importance of nature-based engineering solutions and ensuring that engineered infrastructure is nature-inclusive.

Background
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is seeking applications for the evaluation of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) and vegetation interaction for soil rehabilitation. MICP is a form of biomediated geotechnical soil improvement that has been proposed to enhance the strength and hydraulic conductivity characteristics of soils. The goal is to understand the interaction between MICP-treated soil mass and vegetation for usability and sustainability of soil improvement techniques on flood control infrastructure projects.

Grant Details
The tasks include conducting laboratory scale investigation on the interaction of MICP treated soils and vegetation regrowth, providing guidance and support to ERDC researchers in setup and operation of MICP test and production facilities, collaborating on the evaluation and interpretation of test results, documenting findings in a peer-reviewed literature which will be publicly available.

Eligibility Requirements
This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Religious organizations are entitled to compete on equal footing with secular organizations for Federal financial assistance as described in E.O. 13798, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.”

Period of Performance
(Sept 2023-Aug 2025)

Grant Value
$170,000 for 2 years; $85,000 for base and each option year
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Overview

Agency
Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) [DoD - USA - USACE]
Category of Funding
Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Funding Instruments
Cooperative Agreement
Grant Program (CFDA)
12.630 - Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering
Grant Category
Discretionary
Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement
False
Source
Grants.gov
On 6/13/23 Engineer Research and Development Center posted grant opportunity W81EWF-23-SOI-0023 for Evaluation of microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) and vegetation interaction for soil rehabilitation with funding of $170,000. The grant will be issued under grant program 12.630 Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering. It is expected that one grant will be made.

Timing

Posted Date
June 13, 2023, 12:00 a.m. EDT
Closing Date
Aug. 14, 2023, 12:00 a.m. EDT Past Due
Last Updated
June 13, 2023, 4:52 p.m. EDT
Version
1
Archive Date
Sept. 13, 2023

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Additional Info
This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).

Award Sizing

Ceiling
$85,000
Floor
Not Listed
Estimated Program Funding
$170,000
Estimated Number of Grants
1

Contacts

Contact
Kisha Craig Contract Specialist
Contact Email
kisha.m.craig@usace.army.mil   Profile
Email Description
Kisha M. Craig
Contact Phone
(601) 634-5397

Documents

Posted documents for W81EWF-23-SOI-0023

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