Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation for Construction, Soil Stabilization and Scale Control
This research community focuses on using microorganisms to precipitate calcium carbonate minerals, primarily to stabilize soil, repair concrete structures, and manage mineral scaling in water treatment systems.
The work centers on the mechanism of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), where bacteria or enzymes trigger the formation of calcite and other calcium carbonate phases. Recurring applications include self-healing concrete, soil strengthening, and the synthesis of amorphous calcium carbonate nanoparticles. The community also investigates the crystallization of calcium sulfate and barium sulfate, specifically developing scale inhibitors for reverse osmosis and industrial water systems. Recent studies examine the interaction between these precipitation processes and heavy metal immobilization, as well as the mechanical properties of treated sands and concrete.
Calcium is the dominant element in this community, representing 2.8% of all tracked calcium research and accounting for 8,297 papers. Sulfur and barium are the next most significant elements, with 1,763 and 1,536 papers respectively.
The community comprises 17,501 papers, with the highest publication volume in the Journal of Crystal Growth, Construction and Building Materials, and Crystal Growth & Design.
Recent work continues to refine bacterial self-healing technologies for concrete, optimize low-cost calcium sources for bio-cementation, and develop hybrid polymer-phosphonate inhibitors for oilfield water flooding and cooling systems.