Fungal-induced water repellency in sand

Water infiltration into granular soils and the associated pore water pressure increase reduction in shear strength can trigger landslides, instability of vertical cuts failure retaining walls. Water-repellent reduce to maintain soil suction. Recent research has demonstrated creation synthetic water-repellent using chemical methods. This paper investigates a biological treatment for creating sand by way growth fungus Pleurotus ostreatus. repellency was assessed using: (a) drop penetration test; (b) molarity ethanol (c) modified sessile method with contact angle (?) determination image analysis. Fungal-induced found be ‘extreme’ (? > 110°) up 4 weeks ‘severe’ 105°) 12 weeks, even no further supply moisture or nutrients. A layer formed maintained saturated conditions, which is difficult achieve