Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation As a Bioremediation Technique for Mining Waste

Overview

Journal Toxics

Date 2024 Feb 23

PMID 38393202

Authors

Samantha M Wilcox

Catherine N Mulligan

Carmen Mihaela Neculita

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Mining waste represents a global issue due to its potential of generating acidic or alkaline leachate with high concentrations of metals and metalloids (metal(loid)s). Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an engineering tool used for remediation. MICP, induced via biological activity, aims to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO) or co-precipitate other metal carbonates (MCO). MICP is a bio-geochemical remediation method that aims to immobilize or remove metal(loid)s via enzyme, redox, or photosynthetic metabolic pathways. Contaminants are removed directly through immobilization as mineral precipitates (CaCO or MCO), or indirectly (via sorption, complexes, or inclusion into the crystal structure). Further, CaCO precipitates deposited on the surface or within the pore spaces of a solid matrix create a clogging effect to reduce contaminant leachate. Experimental research on MICP has shown its promise as a bioremediation technique for mining waste. Additional research is required to evaluate the long-term feasibility and potential by-products of MICP-treated/stabilized waste.

Citing Articles

Mineral Carbonation for Carbon Sequestration: A Case for MCP and MICP.

Wilcox S, Mulligan C, Neculita C Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(5).

PMID: 40076853 PMC: 11900583. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26052230.

Fungal carbonatogenesis process mediates zinc and chromium removal via statistically optimized carbonic anhydrase enzyme.

Awadeen N, Eltarahony M, Zaki S, Yousef A, El-Assar S, El-Shall H Microb Cell Fact. 2024; 23(1):236.

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Experimental Study on the Wind Erosion Resistance of Aeolian Sand Solidified by Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP).

Qu J, Li G, Ma B, Liu J, Zhang J, Liu X Materials (Basel). 2024; 17(6).

PMID: 38541424 PMC: 10972104. DOI: 10.3390/ma17061270.

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