Bio-Remediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil by Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP)—A Critical Review

Sheng Wang, Longyang Fang, Malcom Frimpong Dapaah, Qijian Niu () and Liang Cheng ()
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Sheng Wang: School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Longyang Fang: School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Malcom Frimpong Dapaah: School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Qijian Niu: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Liang Cheng: School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: Biomineralization processes utilizing microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) have recently shown promise as an effective approach for remediating heavy metal contamination. This article offers a comprehensive review of the latest research on MICP-mediated heavy metal remediation, with a focus on the characteristics of heavy metals in the treated environment, such as copper, cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, chromium, and mixed heavy metals. The review summarizes experimental results from various heavy metals treated by MICP, including the enrichment and screening of new urease-positive bacteria, the mineral structure of different heavy metal precipitates, and the efficiency of the MICP technology. Recent advancements in the MICP technology regarding heavy metal removal, long-term stability, and practical applications are also discussed. Additionally, the limitations of the technique and existing solutions are reviewed. In addition, it provides insights on future directions for further research and development of the MICP approach for heavy metal remediation, in order to optimize the technique and improve its efficiency. Overall, the review highlights the potential of MICP as a viable method for heavy metal remediation, offering promising results for the removal of a variety of heavy metal contaminants from contaminated environments.

Keywords: heavy metals remediation; environmental pollution; microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP); biomineralization; urease-positive bacteria (UPB) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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