The Effect of Adding Probiotic Bacteria on Bauxite Waste Mud : Experimental Research Method

Abstract

Bauxite waste sludge is quite dangerous when polluted into the surrounding environment. The number is increasing with the higher mining production. The utilization is still not maximized hence it is unbalanced to the increasing number; and it is necessary to use on a large scale. Sub-grade soil could use a lot of bauxite waste sludge but in reality, this waste is unsafe to use and its characteristics are mud the requirements of bearing capacity according to the AASHTO and USCS Classification unfulfilled. This study aims to determine the effect of the use of probiotic bacteria in bauxite waste on its physical characteristics and pH value. This experimental research method develops test objects according to ASTM standards with the same weight of bauxite waste and variations in the number of probiotic bacteria, namely 25 ml, 50 ml, 75 ml, and 100 ml and the incubation time of bacteria is 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 28 days, 35 days, and 42 days. The results showed that the test specimens with more bacteria and longer incubation times resulted in lower pH values and physical characteristics that fulfilled the requirements for sub-grade soil. Based on the test results showed that due to the addition of probiotic bacteria, the bauxite sewage sludge increased to class A-4, namely silt with medium quality and a pH close to 8, eliminating the hazardous nature of the waste.