Basics of construction microbial biotechnology

Abstract

Construction Microbial Biotechnology is a new area of science and engineering that includes microbially–mediated construction processes and microbial production of construction materials. Low cost, sustainable, and environmentally–friendly microbial cements, grouts, polysaccharides, and bioplastics are useful in construction and geotechnical engineering. Construction–related biotechnologies are based on activity of different microorganisms: urease–producing, acidogenic, halophilic, alkaliphilic, denitrifying, iron– and sulfate–reducing bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, microscopic fungi. The bio–related materials and processes can be used for the bioaggregation, soil biogrouting and bioclogging, biocementation, biodesaturation of water–satured soil, bioencapsulation of soft clay, biocoating, and biorepair of the concrete surface. Construction Microbial Biotechnology is progressing toward commercial products and large–scale applications. The biotechnologically produced materials and construction–related microbial biotechnologies have a lot of advantages over conventional construction materials and processes.