2 months ago
1
A caller bioengineering method known arsenic Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is emerging as a promising and sustainable solution to tackle coastal erosion, signalling a displacement from accepted engineering methods to nature-based approaches. Developed aft palmy laboratory experiments and precocious patented, the exertion is present undergoing outdoor commercialized investigating and could connection a caller pathway to support susceptible shorelines, including the beaches of Visakhapatnam that are facing the occupation of erosion.
The method employs the urease producing bacterial strain Sporosarcina pasteurii to fortify escaped coastal soil done bio-mediated calcite formation. Laboratory findings indicate that specified treated samples exhibit improved absorption to rainfall- and wave-induced erosion, offering imaginable extortion to coastal infrastructure and livelihoods. In elemental terms, the coastal soil volition crook into sandstone wrong a mates of weeks done the bio-mediation process.
Explaining the value of the probe to the mediapersons during a media sojourn organized by Press Information Bureau successful the 2nd week of March, Institute Chair Professor successful the Department of Civil Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, Neelima Satyam D. told The Hindu that coastal erosion remains a large biology situation successful India. She referred to a December 2023 study successful The Hindu that documented however a conception of Baby Park on Beach Road successful Visakhapatnam was washed distant during precocious tides triggered by Cyclone Michaung. According to her, the newly-developed method could assistance forestall akin harm successful the future.
Citing information from the National Centre for Coastal Research, she noted that nearly 34% of India’s coastline — around 7,500 km — is affected by erosion. Coastal onshore is gradually worn distant by question action, tidal currents, strong winds and drainage, portion quality activities specified arsenic dredging, coastal improvement and operation besides accelerate the process.
Traditional coastal extortion measures broadly autumn into 2 categories: hard and brushed engineering methods. Hard engineering structures specified arsenic seawalls, groynes and breakwaters supply contiguous extortion but are costly and often disrupt earthy coastal processes. Soft engineering approaches similar formation nourishment and managed retreat are much environmentally sustainable but necessitate continuous maintenance.
“In this context, we began exploring a sustainable, economical and eco-friendly attack to efficaciously mitigate coastal erosion,” Dr. Neelima said.
The MICP-based bioengineering approach represents what researchers picture arsenic a modulation from “building successful nature” to “building with nature.” Experimental findings showed that bio-mediated attraction importantly improved the spot and durability of coastal sand. Optimal reinforcement configurations were identified done spot and durability assessments earlier conducting erosion testing.
Beyond shoreline protection, the probe besides has broader argumentation relevance. The method supports India’s Blue Economy inaugural and contributes to climate-resilient coastal infrastructure envisioned nether the Viksit Bharat 2047 imaginativeness and the National Coastal Mission. It besides aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals specified as Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14) and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).
“Nature-based bioengineering solutions tin assistance support India’s coastlines portion supporting sustainable development,” she added.
