Response surface methodology optimization of hydraulic conductivity change by microbially induced CaCO3 precipitation

In columns packed with glass beads in the range of 0.25 mm to 3 mm in diameter, the effect of the number of cells deposited in hydraulic conductivity of porous media using CaCO3 precipitation produced by Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859) was investigated in the present study. Following the introduction of resting Sporosarcina pasteurii cells into the columns, a precipitation solution containing 500 mM CaCl2 and 500 mM urea was injected into the columns under continuous flow conditions. To investigate the relation between deposited cell number and hydraulic conductivity, Response surface methodology was applied. The results indicated that each response has been affected by factors in a different scale. By creating models, experimental design dimension can be declined.