Abstract
Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been proposed as a sustainable approach to solve various environmental, structural, geotechnical and architectural issues. In the last decade, a ubiquitous microbial metabolism, nitrate reduction (also known as denitrification) got attention in MICP research due to its unique added benefits such as simultaneous corrosion inhibition in concrete and desaturation of porous media. The latter even upgraded MICP into a more advanced concept called microbially induced desaturation and precipitation (MIDP) which is being investigated for liquefaction mitigation. In this paper, we present the findings on MICP through denitrification by covering applications under two main titles: (i) applications solely based on MICP, such as soil reinforcement, development of microbial self-healing concrete, restoration of artwork and historical monuments, and industrial wastewater treatment, (ii) an application based on MIDP: liquefaction mitigation. After explaining the denitrification process in detail and describing the MICP and MIDP reaction system occurring through denitrification metabolism, the most recent advances in each potential field of application are collected, addressing the novel findings and limitations, to provide insights toward the practical applications in situ. Finally, the research needs required to deal with the defined challenges in application-oriented upscaling and optimization of MICP through denitrification are suggested. Overall, collected research findings revealed that MICP through denitrification possesses a great potential to replace conventionally used petrochemical-based, labour intensive, destructive and economically unfeasible techniques used in construction industry with a bio-based, labourless, low-carbon technology. This worldwide applicable bio-based technology will facilitate the sustainable development and contribute to the carbon-emission-reduction.
Highlights
In nature, under a wide variety of conditions, organisms have been reported to directly or indirectly mediate the formation of over 60 different mineral types through a process called biomineralization [1]
In Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) through urea hydrolysis, ureolytic bacteria produces urease enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbonate and ammonium, and favors an increase in the pH leading to the precipitation of CaCO3 in the presence of free calcium ions
This review study consists of four major parts (i) denitrification mechanism and, the activities of denitrifying bacteria related to desaturation and CaCO3 precipitation, (ii) applications of MICP and microbially induced desaturation and precipitation (MIDP) through denitrification, (iii) the challenges involved in the practical applications and (iv) suggestions of future research to overcome those challenges and enable process upscaling and optimization of the novel applications
Summary
Under a wide variety of conditions, organisms have been reported to directly or indirectly mediate the formation of over 60 different mineral types (e.g., carbonates, oxides, silicates, and sulfides) through a process called biomineralization [1]. In MICP through urea hydrolysis, ureolytic bacteria produces urease enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbonate and ammonium, and favors an increase in the pH leading to the precipitation of CaCO3 in the presence of free calcium ions. This approach has been demonstrated in many laboratory studies and several field technical applications, especially in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), heavy metal removal, atmospheric CO2 sequestration, soil improvement, and construction restoration [9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. This review study consists of four major parts (i) denitrification mechanism and, the activities of denitrifying bacteria related to desaturation and CaCO3 precipitation, (ii) applications of MICP and MIDP through denitrification, (iii) the challenges involved in the practical applications and (iv) suggestions of future research to overcome those challenges and enable process upscaling and optimization of the novel applications
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