Journal article
Characterization of ureolysis and microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation under different incubation and reaction conditions
Biochemical engineering journal, v 222, 109827
Oct 2025
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Abstract
Understanding the factors influencing ureolysis and calcium carbonate precipitation is essential for optimizing microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) processes, yet comparative insights into different bacterial species under varying conditions remain inconclusive. This study investigates the ureolysis and MICP characteristics of Sporosarcina pasteurii and Lysinibacillus sphaericus under varying incubation and reaction conditions. Batch experiments were conducted to assess the effects of incubation duration and pH, bacterial cell density, and reagent (i.e., urea and calcium ion) concentrations on ureolysis and CaCO3 precipitation. The findings indicate that both bacteria exhibit higher urease activity after 24 h of incubation compared to 48 h, regardless of incubation pH. S. pasteurii exhibits maximum specific urease activity when incubated at an alkaline pH (pH 9.0), whereas L. sphaericus peaks after incubation at a neutral pH (pH 7.2). Moreover, the ureolysis performance of S. pasteurii shows greater sensitivity to incubation conditions, while L. sphaericus maintains consistently. At low cell density (OD600 ∼0.1), specific urease activity and early-stage mineralization efficiency are improved, whereas high density (OD600 ∼1.0) enhances overall CaCO3 precipitation and prolonged vaterite presence. High reagent concentrations (1.0 and 1.5 M) further enhance urease activity and precipitation rates and lead to vaterite dominance (> 93 %), while low concentration (0.3 M) favors calcite formation over time. These findings provide insights into evaluating and optimizing MICP performance under varying incubation and reaction conditions.
•Bacterial incubation duration and pH have a significant impact on urease activity.•Higher cell density leads to reduced MICP efficiency while enhancing reaction rate.•Excessive reagent concentration induces vaterite-dominant precipitation.•Biomineralization efficiency varies with reaction time and conditions.
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Details
- Title
- Characterization of ureolysis and microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation under different incubation and reaction conditions
- Creators
- Hyun-Woo Joo - University of Colorado BoulderMatthew H. Fyfe - University of Colorado BoulderIrene Verdú - Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesSeyed Ali Rahmaninezhad - Staff Environmental Engineer, Environmental Department, Terracon Consulting Inc., The Colony, TX, United StatesChristopher M. Sales - Drexel UniversityWil V. Srubar - University of Colorado BoulderMija H. Hubler - University of Colorado Boulder
- Publication Details
- Biochemical engineering journal, v 222, 109827
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- U.S. Government
This research was, in part, funded by the U.S. Government. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- C. and J. Nyheim Plasma Institute; Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001513353900002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105008199981
- Other Identifier
- 991022059857604721
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
- Engineering, Chemical