Mechanism and application of environmental engineering and civil engineering: From biological nanoarchitectonics to system engineering

Abstract

Over the past two decades, microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a promising biomineralization technology mediated by specific bacteria. With its simple and controllable characteristics, MICP has shown significant potential for various applications such as remediation of cracks, corrosion prevention in concrete, and treatment of heavy metals. This review provides an in-depth review of the fundamental pathways, mechanisms, operational factors, and application approaches of the MICP process in environmental and civil engineering. Moreover, as an important carbonate precipitation process, the potential of MICP technology in CO₂ capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and the main challenges were also discussed thoroughly, especially in treating alkaline solid waste. This review can provide a crucial reference for MICP in CCUS and assist in CO₂ control. While MICP is undoubtedly a mainstream engineering technology, the future of MICP lies in combination with other techniques to ensure the application of this technology in interdisciplinary processes.