Abstract
Microbiologically induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a well-known biogeochemical process that allows the formation of calcium carbonate deposits in the extracellular environment. The high concentration of carbonate and calcium ions on the bacterial surface, which serves as nucleation sites, promotes the calcium carbonate precipitation filling and binding deteriorated materials. Historic buildings and artwork, especially those present in open sites, are susceptible to enhanced weathering resulting from environmental agents, interaction with physical-chemical pollutants, and living organisms, among others. In this work, some published variations of a novel and ecological surface treatment of heritage structures based on MICP are presented and compared. This method has shown to be successful as a restoration, consolidation, and conservation tool for improvement of mechanical properties and prevention of unwanted gas and fluid migration from historical materials. The treatment has revealed best results on porous media matrixes; nevertheless, it can also be applied on soil, marble, concrete, clay, rocks, and limestone. MICP is proposed as a potentially safe and powerful procedure for efficient conservation of worldwide heritage structures.
Highlights
Minerals precipitation by living organisms activity, so-called biomineralization, is a process that occurs from bacteria to chordates [1]
We summarize techniques and strategies conducted by researchers in the field of bacterially induced CaCO3 precipitation for the conservation of heritage materials
Ureolytic bacteria are the main strains of microorganisms used in Microbiologically induced carbonate precipitation (MICP)-treatment for the restoration of historic buildings
Summary
Minerals precipitation by living organisms activity, so-called biomineralization, is a process that occurs from bacteria to chordates [1]. This mineral formation occurs through two different processes. The precipitation of minerals by microorganisms is obtained by the modification of the local environment as a result of the metabolites release. This releasing of molecules increases pH and elevates the supersaturation, resulting in the precipitation of minerals. The process of calcium carbonate precipitation is present in nature, commonly in marine environments, freshwater, and soil (e.g., solid surfaces) [7,8]
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