rexresearch
Microbially Induced Calcite
Precipitation / MICP
(
Ureolytic Calcite Precipitation / UCP )
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10467343/
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2023 Jul
13;89(8):e01794-22. doi: 10.1128/aem.01794-22
Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation by
Sporosarcina pasteurii: a Case Study in Optimizing Biological
CaCO3 Precipitation
Michael S Carter, et al.
ABSTRACT -- Current production of traditional
concrete requires enormous energy investment that accounts for
approximately 5 to 8% of the world’s annual CO2 production.
Biocement is a building material that is already in industrial
use and has the potential to rival traditional concrete as a
more convenient and more environmentally friendly alternative.
Biocement relies on biological structures (enzymes, cells,
and/or cellular superstructures) to mineralize and bind
particles in aggregate materials (e.g., sand and soil
particles). Sporosarcina pasteurii is a workhorse organism for
biocementation, but most research to date has focused on S.
pasteurii as a building material rather than a biological
system. In this review, we synthesize available materials
science, microbiology, biochemistry, and cell biology evidence
regarding biological CaCO3 precipitation and the role of
microbes in microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation
(MICP) with a focus on S. pasteurii. Based on the available
information, we provide a model that describes the molecular and
cellular processes involved in converting feedstock material
(urea and Ca2+) into cement. The model provides a foundational
framework that we use to highlight particular targets for
researchers as they proceed into optimizing the biology of MICP
for biocement production.
US11512021 --
PREVENTING OR REDUCING PLANT GROWTH BY
BIOCEMENTATION
...Mixture 4 was composed of the following components in the
following concentrations:
20.0 g/l Yeast extract
0.25 M calcium chloride
18.0 g/l urea
4 × 10<{circumflex over ( )}>8 cells/ml
Sp. pasteurii
The mixture also contained trace elements and traces of salts
and sugars, for example (<1%). In this medium, urea served
primarily as a source of carbonate and secondarily as a source
of nitrogen.
In mixture 5, 50 ml/l Silicade 8 (silica sol-acrylic dispersion)
was additionally added as additive. The additive was used to
achieve a longer lasting stability of the biocementation layer.
The components of the biocementation mixtures 4 and 5 (without
bacteria) were present in solid form, respectively. The bacteria
were present as liquid culture in a culture medium known from
the state of the art, respectively, as described for example in
Cuthbert, M. O. et al., Ecological Engineering 2012, 41, 32-40
(see section 2.2, p. 33). The solid components and the bacteria
in liquid culture were mixed directly before use, respectively,
dissolving the solid components....
http://dustbiosolutions.com/
Dust BioSolutions GmbH
Am Klopferspitz 19
82152 Planegg
Germany
https://bioplasticsnews.com/2017/06/12/turning-dust-into-stone-with-bacteria-martin-spitznagel-founder-dust-biosolutions/
Turning Dust Into Stone with Bacteria by Martin
Spitznagel founder of Dust Biosolutions GmbH
The company has developed a portfolio of 30 liquid biological
binders able to work with sand stone, dusts, etc. The technology
is called bio-cementation and use calcite producing bacteria. It
takes 24 to 48h to be in full effect and support e.g. the weight
of a heavy truck. It is very powerful to encapsulate dusts
associated with extractive industries and is reportedly 34%
cheaper than the cheapest chemical spray. It does not need to be
used more than once or twice a year contrarily to water that
requires spraying several times a day. It is not harmful to the
environment and biodegrades. Next to the recent financing round,
the company name will change from the current project name.
Biology PhDs are in urgent need...
Some MICP Patents:
CN121571451 --
Soil remediation method and system based on EKG electric power
and MICP
Abstract -- The invention belongs to the technical
field of soil remediation. According to the soil remediation
method and system based on the EKG electric power and the MICP,
a horizontal landfill type implementation mode and a vertical
insertion type implementation mode are adopted, conductive
plastic electrodes (including an anode and a cathode) are laid,
and a drip irrigation system, a high-pressure liquid injection
system, a vacuum negative pressure pumping drainage system and a
soil moisture content, pollutant and pH value monitoring
instrument are matched; firstly, water-soluble and free-state
pollutants are directionally migrated, pumped and removed by
utilizing an electric field effect, microorganisms such as
urease bacteria are injected through a high-pressure liquid
injection pipeline in the later period of restoration, and
residual heavy metal is converted into carbonate combined-state
precipitates by virtue of an MICP technology to be stable.
According to the invention, dual remediation
of'removal-stabilization 'is realized, secondary pollution is
avoided, the intelligent degree is high, the system is suitable
for river, lake and reservoir dredged sediment, coastal mud flat
dredger fill, petrochemical engineering sites and other scenes,
and the content of soil pollutants is ensured to reach the
environmental quality standard or design standard
CN121573935 -- Solid waste landfill crack combination
self-repairing material based on microbial mineralization and
application
Abstract -- The
invention discloses a solid waste landfill crack combination
self-repairing material based on microbial mineralization and
application, and belongs to the field of environmental
geotechnical engineering. The method comprises the steps that
firstly, a klebsiella liquid and a calcium source cementing
liquid are prepared, grouting holes are formed in the side
slope, the bacterial liquid and the cementing liquid are
injected in batches, and internal cracks are filled with a
microorganism induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP)
technology; and then, a fiber reinforced guniting material
formed by compounding field soil, active magnesium oxide and
chopped fibers is adopted to spray and cover the surface layer
of the slope, and a compact sealing layer is formed through
carbon dioxide carbonization. By combining internal MICP curing
and surface layer fiber reinforced magnesium oxide carbonization
sealing, a synergistic protection system with strong inside and
tough outside is constructed, the anti-permeability and
stability of the slope are improved, meanwhile, the toughness,
crack resistance and long-term durability of a surface layer
sealing layer are remarkably enhanced, and the service life of
the slope is prolonged. And the method is particularly suitable
for slope treatment of projects with high anti-seepage
requirements such as solid waste landfills and the like
CN121451579 -- Reinforcing method for MICP-bionic structure
interlayer of coral sand soil body
Abstract -- The
invention relates to the technical field of buildings, in
particular to a coral sand soil body MICP-bionic structure
interlayer reinforcing method which comprises the following
steps: S1, grading original coral sand, taking fine particles as
an interlayer material, and taking medium-coarse particles as a
main body filling material; s2, laying a 3D printing bionic
geosynthetic material in the fine particles, sequentially
injecting a sporosarcina pasteurii bacterial solution and a
urea-calcium chloride cementing solution, standing, and
alternately grouting for multiple times; s3, the composite
interlayer and the main body sand layer are stacked and
compacted in a layered mode, and a layered composite structure
is constructed; and S4, repeating the steps S1 to S3. The
ecological reinforcement technology and the reinforcement
technology are combined, a collaborative system of layered
construction, interlayer construction and overall reinforcement
is constructed, and the reinforcement effect and efficiency are
effectively improved.
CN121426590 -- Carbonate rock cultural relic restoration
method based on MICP
Abstract -- The
invention discloses a carbonate rock cultural relic restoration
method based on MICP, and belongs to the technical field of
cultural relic restoration. A carbonate rock cultural relic
restoration method based on MICP comprises the following steps
that S1, early-stage detection is conducted, specifically,
mineral composition, porosity and microfracture distribution are
conducted on carbonate rock cultural relics to be restored, the
surface weathering degree and spatial distribution
characteristics are evaluated, the pH, the water content and the
ion composition of a restoration area are measured, and
restoration parameters are determined; s2, bacterial liquid
preparation and activity control; s3, repairing application:
applying the bacterial liquid and the calcium source solution to
the target area in a spraying or permeating manner according to
the shape and damage degree of the cultural relics; s4, curing
and curing; and S5, environment restoration and in-situ control.
Calcium carbonate is induced by microorganisms to be deposited
on the surface and in cracks of the carbonate rock cultural
relic to form newly generated calcium carbonate filler, and the
overall stability and weather resistance of the cultural relic
structure are improved.
CN121407588 -- Slope grouting reinforcement device and method
based on MICP technology
Abstract -- The
invention relates to the technical field of road slope grouting,
in particular to a slope grouting reinforcement device and
method based on the MICP technology. The device comprises a
bearing vehicle, a rotating disc, a first telescopic arm, a
second telescopic arm, a liquid storage tank, a pump machine, a
pipe winding and unwinding disc and a conveying pipe. The
turntable is rotationally connected with the bearing vehicle;
the other end of the first telescopic arm is fixedly connected
with the second telescopic arm; the second telescopic arm is
perpendicular to the first telescopic arm; the free end of the
second telescopic arm is detachably connected with a spray head;
the liquid storage tank, the pump machine and the winding and
unwinding pipe disc are all fixedly mounted on the bearing
vehicle, and the conveying pipe is wound on the winding and
unwinding pipe disc; a liquid inlet of the pump machine is
connected to the liquid storage tank, a liquid outlet is
connected to the liquid inlet end of the conveying pipe, and the
liquid outlet end of the conveying pipe is connected to the
spray head. The device can efficiently conduct slope grouting
operation on the whole road slope; and the distance between the
spray head and the road slope can be conveniently adjusted, and
it can be guaranteed that the reinforcing depth and the
compaction degree of the whole slope tend to be consistent
CN121275450 -- Sandy soil solidification method based on
synergistic effect of MICP and organic polymer emulsion
Abstract -- The
invention provides a sand solidification method based on the
synergistic effect of MICP and organic polymer emulsion, which
is characterized by comprising the following steps: filling sand
into a mold, oscillating and compacting to manufacture a sand
column; activating the microbial powder with the mineralization
effect to obtain a bacterial liquid; mixing urea and calcium
chloride to obtain a cementing solution, and then adding the
waterborne acrylic epoxy hybrid emulsion to obtain a mixed
solution; pouring the bacterial liquid into the sand column
until the bacterial liquid is completely immersed, and standing
until bacteria in the bacterial liquid are fully attached to the
sand particles; filling the mixed liquid into a sand column to
finish a round of biological grouting; and carrying out multiple
rounds of biological grouting until the sand column cannot be
filled, and after the mineralization reaction is completed,
demolding, cleaning and drying the sand column to obtain the
cured sand column. The mechanical property of a sand body is
greatly improved by forming an organic film-calcium carbonate
inorganic framework synergistic cementation structure,
particularly through a treatment group of multiple rounds of
mixed grouting, the unconfined compressive strength is improved
more remarkably compared with that of a traditional MICP
technology, and the requirement of heavy-load engineering for
the foundation strength can be met.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporosarcina_pasteurii
Sporosarcina pasteurii
Sporosarcina pasteurii formerly known as Bacillus
pasteurii from older taxonomies, is a gram positive bacterium
with the ability to precipitate calcite and solidify sand given
a calcium source and urea; through the process of
microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) or
biological cementation.[2] S. pasteurii has been proposed to be
used as an ecologically sound biological construction material.
Researchers studied the bacteria in conjunction with plastic and
hard mineral; forming a material stronger than bone.[3] It is a
commonly used for MICP since it is non-pathogenic and is able to
produce high amounts of the enzyme urease which hydrolyzes urea
to carbonate and ammonia.[4]
Physiology
S. pasteurii is a gram positive bacterium that is rod-like
shaped in nature. It has the ability to form endospores in the
right environmental conditions to enhance its survival, which is
a characteristic of its bacillus class.[5] It has dimensions of
0.5 to 1.2 microns in width and 1.3 to 4.0 microns in length.
Because it is an alkaliphile, it thrives in basic environments
of pH 9–10. It can survive relatively harsh conditions up to a
pH of 11.2.[4]
Metabolism and growth
S. pasteurii are soil-borne facultative anaerobes that are
heterotrophic and require urea and ammonium for growth.[6] The
ammonium is utilized in order to allow substrates to cross the
cell membrane into the cell.[6] The urea is used as the nitrogen
and carbon source for the bacterium. S. pasteurii are able to
induce the hydrolysis of urea and use it as a source of energy
by producing and secreting the urease enzyme. The enzyme
hydrolyzes the urea to form carbonate and ammonia. During this
hydrolysis, a few more spontaneous reactions are performed.
Carbamate is hydrolyzed to carbonic acid and ammonia and then
further hydrolyzed to ammonium and bicarbonate.[4] This process
causes the pH of the reaction to increase 1–2 pH, making the
environment more basic which promotes the conditions that this
specific bacterium thrives in.[7] Maintaining a medium with this
pH can be expensive for large scale production of this bacterium
for biocementation. A wide range of factors can affect the
growth rate of S. pasteurii. This includes finding the optimal
temperature, pH, urea concentration, bacterial density, oxygen
levels, etc.[7] It has been found that the optimal growing
temperature is 30 °C, but this is independent of the other
environmental factors present.[5] Since S. pasteurii are
halotolerant, they can grow in the presence of low
concentrations of aqueous chloride ions that are low enough to
not inhibit bacterial cell growth.[7] This shows promising
applications for MICP use.
S. pasteurii DSM 33 is described to be auxotrophic for
L-methionine, L-cystein, thiamine and nicotinic acid.[8]
Genomic properties
The whole genome of S. pasteurii NCTC4822 was sequenced and
reported under NCBI Accession Number: NZ_UGYZ01000000. With a
chromosome length of 3.3 Mb, it contains 3,036 protein coding
genes and has GC content of 39.17% .[9] When the ratio of known
functional genes to the unknown genes is calculated, the
bacterium shows highest ratios for transport, metabolism, and
transcription. The high proportion of these functions allows the
conversion of urea to carbonate ions which is necessary for the
bio-mineralization process.[9] The bacterium has seven
identified genes that are directly related to urease activity
and assembly as well, which can be further studied to give
insight about maximizing urease production for optimizing use of
S. pasteurii in industrial applications.[9]
Applications with MICP
S. pasteurii have the unique capability of hydrolyzing urea and
through a series of reactions, produce carbonate ions. This is
done by secreting copious amounts of urease through the cell
membrane.[5] When the bacterium is placed in a calcite rich
environment, the negatively charged carbonate ions react with
the positive metal ions like calcium to precipitate calcium
carbonate, or bio-cement.[4] The calcium carbonate can then be
used as a precipitate or can be crystallized as calcite to
cement sand particles together. Therefore, when put into a
calcium chloride environment, S. pasteurii are able to survive
since they are halotolerant and alkaliphiles. Since the bacteria
remain intact during harsh mineralization conditions, are
robust, and carry a negative surface charge, they serve as good
nucleation sites for MICP.[9] The negatively charged cell wall
of the bacterium provides a site of interaction for the
positively charged cations to form minerals. The extent of this
interaction depends on a variety of factors including the
characteristics of the cell surface, amount of peptidoglycan,
amidation level of free carboxyl, and availability of teichoic
acids.[7] S. pasteurii show a highly negative surface charge
which can be shown in its highly negative zeta potential of −67
mV compared to non-mineralizing bacteria E. coli, S. aureus and
B. subtilis at −28, −26 and −40.8 mV, respectively.[9] Aside
from all of these benefits towards using S. pasteurii for MICP,
there are limitations like undeveloped engineering scale-up,
undesired by-products, uncontrolled growth, or dependence on
growth conditions like urea or oxygen concentrations.[9]
Current and potential applications
S. pasteurii have a purpose in improving construction material
as in concrete or mortar. Concrete is one of the most used
materials in the world but it is susceptible to forming cracks
which can be costly to fix. One solution is to embed this
bacterium in the cracks and once it is activated using MICP.
Minerals will form and repair the gap in a permanent
environmentally-friendly way. One disadvantage is that this
technique is possible only for external surfaces that are
reachable.[7]
Another application is to use S. pasteurii in bio self-healing
of concrete which involves implementing the bacterium into the
concrete matrix during the concrete preparation to heal micro
cracks. This has a benefit of minimal human intervention and
yields more durable concrete with higher compressive
strength.[7]
One limitation of using this bacterium for bio-mineralization is
that although it is a facultative anaerobe, in the absence of
oxygen, the bacterium is unable to synthesize urease
anaerobically. A lack of oxygen also prevents MICP since its
initiation relies heavily on oxygen. Therefore, at sites distant
from the injection location or at great depths, the likelihood
of precipitation decreases.[9] One potential fix is to couple
this bacterium in the biocement with oxygen releasing compounds
(ORCs) that are typically used for bioremediation and removal of
pollutants from soil.[7] With this combination, the lack of
oxygen can be diminished and the MICP can be optimized with the
bacterium.
Some specific examples of current applications include:
Architecture student Magnus Larsson won the 2008 Holcim Award
"Next Generation" first prize for region Africa Middle East for
his project "Dune anti-desertification architecture, Sokoto,
Nigeria" and his design of a habitable wall.[10] Larssons also
presented the proposal at TED.[11]
Ginger Krieg Dosier's unique biotechnology start-up company,
bioMason, in Raleigh, NC has developed a method of growing
bricks from Sporosarcina pasteurii and naturally abundant
materials. In 2013 this company won the Cradle to Cradle
Innovation Challenge (which included a prize of $125,000) and
the Dutch Postcode Lottery Green Challenge (which included a
prize of 500,000 euros).[12]
More potential applications include:
Use bacteria to solidify liquefiable soils in areas prone to
earthquakes.
Form bio-bricks
Stabilize marshes and swamps
Reduce the settlement rate of buildings[6]
Remove heavy metals from wastewater[13]
used as barrier for weed control in agriculture, as an
alternative to herbicide[14]
Considerations of using this bacterium in industrial
applications is scale-up potential, economic feasibility,
long-term viability of bacteria, adhesion behavior of calcium
carbonate, and polymorphism.[7]
References
"Species: Sporosarcina pasteurii". lpsn.dsmz.de. Archived
from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
Chou CW, Aydilek A, Seagren E, Maugel T (November 2008).
"Bacterially-induced calcite precipitation via ureolysis".
American Society for Microbiology.
"Microbial makers help humans to build tough
stuff". Nature. 591 (7849): 180. 4 March 2021.
Bibcode:2021Natur.591R.180.. doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00565-3.
Henze J, Randall DG (August 2018). "Microbial
induced calcium carbonate precipitation at elevated pH values
(>11) using Sporosarcina pasteurii". Journal of Environmental
Chemical Engineering. 6 (4): 5008–5013.
doi:10.1016/j.jece.2018.07.046. S2CID 105388152.
Bhaduri S, Debnath N, Mitra S, Liu Y, Kumar A
(April 2016). "Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation
Mediated by Sporosarcina pasteurii". Journal of Visualized
Experiments (110). doi:10.3791/53253. PMC 4941918. PMID
27167458.
"Optimizing the use of sporosarcina pasteurii
bacteria for the stiffening of sand".
www.envirobiotechjournals.com. Archived from the original on 17
June 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
Seifan M, Berenjian A (November 2018).
"Application of microbially induced calcium carbonate
precipitation in designing bio self-healing concrete". World
Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology. 34 (11): 168.
doi:10.1007/s11274-018-2552-2. PMID 30387067. S2CID 53295171.
Lapierre FM, Schmid S, Ederer B, Ihling N, Büchs J, Huber
R (December 2020). "Revealing nutritional requirements of
MICP-relevant Sporosarcina pasteurii DSM33 for growth
improvement in chemically defined and complex media". Scientific
Reports. 10 (22448): 22448. Bibcode:2020NatSR..1022448L.
doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79904-9. PMC 7775470. PMID 33384450.
Ma L, Pang AP, Luo Y, Lu X, Lin F (January 2020).
"Beneficial factors for biomineralization by ureolytic bacterium
Sporosarcina pasteurii". Microbial Cell Factories. 19 (1): 12.
doi:10.1186/s12934-020-1281-z. PMC 6979283. PMID 31973723.
Holcim Awards 2008 Africa Middle East "Next Generation"
1st prize: Dune anti-desertification architecture, Sokoto,
Nigeria, Holcim awards. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
Magnus Larsson: Dune architect , TED.com. Retrieved 20
February 2010.
bioMason @Green Challenge
Torres-Aravena, Álvaro Esteban; Duarte-Nass, Carla; Azócar,
Laura; Mella-Herrera, Rodrigo; Rivas, Mariella; Jeison, David
(November 2018). "Can Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation
(MICP) through a Ureolytic Pathway Be Successfully Applied for
Removing Heavy Metals from Wastewaters?". Crystals. 8 (11): 438.
doi:10.3390/cryst8110438.