Arid urban environments often exhibit increased levels of suspended particles due to dust entrainment from uncovered land surfaces. This issue is particularly salient at or near urban construction sites, where water is commonly used as an effective but temporary solution to increase soil moisture and decrease fugitive dust entrainment rates.

This Healthy Urban Environments project will evaluate the impacts and long-term effectiveness of a novel enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) to improve soil stability and mitigate fugitive dust. EICP is a permanent and environmentally benign technique that will be tested in-situ at two different field test sites in the Phoenix Metro Area. EICP effectiveness will be determined using Clarity Air Monitoring sensors installed at each site to remotely monitor air quality, and more intensive sampling conducted on-site to determine treated particulate chemical composition and size distribution.

Through this project we will engage with key local industry partners as well as the Salt-River Pima-Maricopa County Indian Community to understand the potential benefits of this technique to reduce impacts to local communities from construction and agricultural sites.

Partners

• Freeport McMoran
• Republic Services
• Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
• Gila River Indian Community