Experimental Study on Wind Erosion Resistance and Plant Growth Performance of Coastal Sand Stabilized by Soybean Hull-Enzyme-Induced Carbonate Precipitation and Seawater

To combat coastal wind erosion and develop sustainable stabilization technologies, a resource-efficient technique was developed based on the Enzyme-Induced Carbonate Precipitation (EICP) principle in the coastal regions of China. Utilizing seawater as a multi-ion source and discarded soybean hulls ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) as a crude urease source, this method is synergized with vegetation to form an environmentally friendly anti-erosion strategy. This study first explored the feasibility of soybean hull-derived urease, then analyzed the impacts of urease activity, reaction liquid volume, and seawater concentration on the germination and growth of Kalimeris indica . The results show that the biochemical mineralization process effectively sequesters soluble Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ from seawater into stable mineral phases, thereby mitigating salt-induced osmotic stress. Optimal plant growth was achieved at a seawater concentration of 0.2 mol·L −1 and a liquid volume of 200 mL. Furthermore, the biocementation provided robust protection for initial plant growth, achieving an approximately 92.3% reduction in soil loss. Despite the presence of nitrogenous byproducts, the synergistic effect of EICP crusts and developing root systems ensures long-term wind erosion resistance and ecological integrity. This study highlights a functional transition from artificial mineralization to biological anchoring for sustainable coastal restoration.