Microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation at elevated pH values (>11) using Sporosarcina pasteurii

Publication date: August 2018Source: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Volume 6, Issue 4Author(s): J. Henze, D.G. RandallAbstractWe have shown, for the first time, that stabilized synthetic urine can be used to facilitate a microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation reaction at elevated pH values. Stabilized urine is mixed with sand and urease-producing bacteria. The bacteria convert the urea present in the urine to carbonate ions, which then combine with excess calcium ions to form calcium carbonate. This calcium carbonate cements any sand particles together, thus forming a bio-solid of any shape. The resilience of Sporosarcina pasteurii bacteria to survive pH values of approximately 11.2 was not expected, but this finding is useful for using stabilized urine as a source of urea since the solution has a pH typically greater than 12. This process thus has the potential to create more sustainable building products from urine using natural processes.Graphical abstract
Source: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research