Biological Modification of Soil Properties—Geotechnical, Structural and Environmental Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Traditionally, geotechnical engineers regarded soil as an inorganic multiphase system comprising solids, fluids, and gases. This rational approach stems from the early works of Coulomb; Rankine and Darcy; and their 20th-century followers, such as Terzaghi and Skempton. However, soil is also a living system. Soil is among the largest terrestrial carbon pools, consisting of about 33% of the total terrestrial carbon. More than 50% of soil carbon is organic, consisting mainly of prokaryotes. These unicellular organisms, primarily bacteria, are approximately 0.5–3×10^-6m large, the estimated D₁₀ size of kaolinite/illite. The bacteria are about three orders of magnitude smaller than the pore throat size of sand, two orders of magnitude smaller than the pore throat size of silt, and the same size as larger clay pore throats. Either motile or fixed to mineral surfaces, bacterial metabolism changes the chemical and physical properties of its proximal surroundings. However, in addition to prokaryotes, mycelium and the rhizosphere also modify soil properties.

Harnessing natural bio-driven processes to modify the hydro-mechanical properties of soil has only recently received attention in the geotechnical community. Bio-mediated or bio-driven processes represent a new dimension in geotechnical and environmental engineering. Soil should be regarded not only at the chemo-physical level but as a bio-chemo-physical entity. Many of the 21^st century's greatest challenges, from CO₂ sequestration to the mitigation of desertification, require the introduction of new concepts to geotechnical engineering. This paradigm shift requires the multi- and interdisciplinary research of soil, including the often overlooked biological constituent of soil.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to bring forward cutting edge multi- and interdisciplinary research on geotechnical applications involving bio-constituents in soils, from laboratory scales to testbeds and field (in natura) applications. Environmental engineering and construction material contributions are also welcomed, as well as any relevant developments or applications.

Prof. Dr. Michael Tsesarsky
Guest Editor

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• biological methods
• soil modification
• geotechnical applications
• environmental engineering