Reinforcement Mechanism and Erosion Resistance of Loess Slope Using Enzyme Induced Calcite Precipitation Technique
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In the study under consideration, the authors investigated the potential applicability of Enzyme Induced Calcite Precipitation technique for the Reinforcement mechanism and erosion resistance of loess slope for a case of Xi’an City in Shanxi Province in China. The work has been fairly prepared and may have potential interest to the readers of the journal. However, there are a few issues to be checked before further consideration:
· I suggest the authors remove the abbreviation “EICP” in the title.
· General keywords such as “rainfall” are not preferable.
· The writing style in the introduction section should be improved.
· The authors should carefully follow the author guidelines for citations and reference formatting.
· The case study description is superficial, the authors should add more information about the case study, highlighting important factors related to the problem.
· All the equipment used in the study should be mentioned (including the name and location of the manufacturer)
· L126: the authors should describe how was the simulated rainfall intensity “2.5 mm/min (150 mm/h)” retrieved.
· The authors should also provide a brief explanation of why 250 of slope and 1 m of height were used.
· How many experiments led to the outcomes of the rainfall simulation test?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
In this paper, Enzyme Induced Calcite Precipitation (EICP) and different ratios of basalt fiber (BF) and polyvinyl acetate emulsion (PVAC) were used to strengthen loess in loess. Through rainfall and dry-wet cycles simulation tests, the effectiveness of the proposed technology in improving the loess slope surface strength (SS) and alleviating the loess slope erosion was verified. Although the paper innovates well, there are still some issues.
The following are the key inquiries:
1. Is Line 27's "MICP-30g/L" in the abstract section correct?
2. Does this paper fit the criteria for ecological and environmental protection by adding various materials to loess to increase the surface strength of the slope? Most of the Loess Plateau in China are not exposed loess and have certain vegetation.Do you take into account the effects on vegetation growth, particularly the impact of cementing loess on vegetation?
3. The technological scheme of this paper's implementation should be made more convenient. For instance, the expense of obtaining basalt fiber (BF), the extraction of urease from soybeans, and so forth.
4. In this paper, by using the CaCO3 content as an essential index, why is there no experimental comparison between this approach and adding lime directly?
5. To more accurately represent the resemblance between rainfall and natural rainfall, the relevant information, such as raindrop size and rainfall density, should be provided to the rainfall simulation experiment.
6. Is the inclusion of seepage holes at the rainfall simulator's base taken into consideration?
7. The permeability of loess to rainwater is decreased by BF or PVAC. In actuality, this will increase the amount of rainwater that collects on the loess surface, which will then increase slope runoff and increase the likelihood of slope erosion.
8. The Loess Plateau has a very variable climate in terms of temperature. Does the temperature change have an impact on the added material?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
My scientific comments of the paper's first draft were expertly addressed by the authors. I believe it will be acceptable for publication.
