Biomimetic mineralization for carbon capture and sequestration

Abstract

Carbon mineralization is an emerging field of research in carbon sequestration. In this process, dissolved inorganic carbon reacts with mineral cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ to form stable carbonate minerals, enabling permanent carbon sequestration and storage. However, current mineralization methods predominantly rely on physicochemical approaches to expedite the mineralization of carbon. While effective, these methods require substantial chemical and energy consumption and may cause significant environmental impacts. Biomineralization has recently emerged as a sustainable alternative, leveraging biochemical reactions to catalyze CO₂ mineralization. This research focuses on investigating the specific roles of various biomolecules in natural carbon biomineralization and exploring state-of-the-art biomimetic carbon mineralization techniques, including whole-cell microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and cell-free systems, for carbon sequestration. In addition, we discuss various sources of mineral cations, ranging from natural minerals to industrial waste to seawater, along with their advantages and limitations. Our findings highlight the potential and feasibility of biological carbon mineralization processes to contribute towards sustainable carbon sequestration. However, we also identify challenges and propose future directions to guide further research and the application of these processes.