Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation Techniques for the Remediation of Heavy Metal and Trace Element–Polluted Soils and Water

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in soil and water has been of worldwide concern due to their biotoxicity/ecotoxicity in the ecosystem, accumulation in the food chain, and persistence in the environment. Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is known as an efficient and cost-effective biogeochemical process for the remediation of heavy metals in contaminated environment. This study reviews the mechanisms of biomineralization of urease-producing microorganisms and their biogeochemical process with various heavy metals and trace elements. Biogeochemical factors affecting the formation of carbonate biominerals were discussed. These factors included the growth and urease activity of microorganisms, calcium concentration and coexisted cations/anions, dissolved inorganic carbon, pH, redox potential, etc. In addition, the mechanisms of the biomineral morphology and its controlling factors such as medium types, microbial species, and extracellular polymeric substance were analyzed as well. Finally, the challenge and current knowledge gap on further application of MICP in remediation of heavy metal–, trace element–, and U-polluted soils and water were presented.