Ureolytic calcium carbonate precipitation in the presence of non-ureolytic competing bacteria

D. Gat, M. Tsesarsky, D. Shamir

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stimulation of ureolytic Microbially Induced CaCO3 Precipitation (MICP) in natural soils is likely to be affected by interactions between ureolytic and non-ureolytic bacteria. In order to study these interactions we performed a MICP experiment in artificial groundwater medium, inoculated with two model bacteria: Sporosarcina pasteurii and Bacillus subtilis, and supplemented with Nutrient Broth and 7 mM of urea. Control was inoculated with S. pasteurii. The experiment lasted 10 days, during which ammonium, dissolved calcium, pH, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and optical density (OD) were measured. Results show that dissolved calcium was depleted at a higher rate in the presence of non-ureolytic bacteria, despite lower pH and CO3 2- concentration. OD measurements show higher growth rate than in control samples. We suggest that the presence of the non-ureolytic bacteria, B. subtilis, accelerates MICP process, through the addition of nucleation sites in the form of bacterial cells.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeo-Frontiers 2011
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in Geotechnical Engineering - Proceedings of the Geo-Frontiers 2011 Conference
Pages3966-3974
Number of pages9
Edition211 GSP
DOIs
StatePublished - 27 May 2011
EventGeo-Frontiers 2011: Advances in Geotechnical Engineering - Dallas, TX, United States
Duration: 13 Mar 201116 Mar 2011

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
Number211 GSP
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

ConferenceGeo-Frontiers 2011: Advances in Geotechnical Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDallas, TX
Period13/03/1116/03/11

Keywords

  • Bacteria
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Precipitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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