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Updated: May 28, 2026

Sandy Soil Improvement through Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) by Immersion
Published on: September 12, 2019
Probiotics use environmentally friendly calcium lignosulfonate as an energy source to MICP-acting on concrete and
Zi-Jun Yan1,2, Fang-Yu Song2,3, Wen-Hao Xu2
1Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pharmacology for Natural Products, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Purpose:
This study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) system using Bacillus subtilis 168 and calcium lignosulfonate as an alternative carbon and energy source, to reduce ammonia emissions.
Method:
We conducted computer simulations and experimental studies, including strain identification and concentration optimization of calcium lignosulfonate and other compounds. Using various detection techniques (SEM, XRD, FTIR, etc.), we evaluated the effectiveness of MICP in concrete and different soil types in China.
Results:
The addition of 10 g/L calcium lignosulfonate significantly enhanced calcite formation and improved the cementation ability in Yunnan red soil and Henan yellow soil. The metabolic pathways of Bacillus subtilis enzymes (e.g., BsDyP, Ssu) were implicated in lignosulfonate metabolism.
Conclusion:
These results demonstrate that calcium lignosulfonate promotes mineralization and can serve as a sustainable carbon and energy source alternative to conventional urea in MICP systems. This approach offers a promising route for concrete reinforcement and soil stabilization by reducing environmental pollution while enhancing calcite formation.
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