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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Laboratory Simulation of an Iron(II)-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria

Laboratory Simulation of an Iron(II)-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria

Published on: July 24, 2016

Lead contamination fixation through CO₂-based biomineralization.

Mohammad Reza Jahanmard¹, Sajjad Deylaghian¹, Ehsan Nikooee²

¹Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Scientific Reports

|June 22, 2026

Summary

A novel direct CO2 biocementation method effectively removes up to 99% of lead from water. This environmentally friendly approach, using microbially-facilitated carbonation (MFC) or enzymatically-facilitated carbonation (EFC), avoids ammonium production and aids carbon capture.

Keywords:

Sporosarcina pasteurii CO2 biological sequestration Carbonic anhydrase Heavy metal Lead contamination MICP

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Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

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Published on: October 21, 2016

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Laboratory Simulation of an Iron(II)-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria

Laboratory Simulation of an Iron(II)-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria

Published on: July 24, 2016

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO₂ Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Published on: October 21, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Geochemistry
Biotechnology

Background:

Ureolytic microbially-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and ureolytic enzymatically-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) are established eco-friendly methods for heavy metal fixation.
These methods rely on urea hydrolysis to generate carbonate ions for immobilizing heavy metal cations.
A key limitation is the generation of ammonium as a byproduct.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and assess a novel, ammonium-free alternative for lead removal from aqueous solutions.
To investigate the feasibility of direct CO2 biocementation via microbially-facilitated carbonation (MFC) and enzymatically-facilitated carbonation (EFC).

Main Methods:

Direct CO2 biocementation was employed, exposing contaminated solutions to CO2.
Microbially-facilitated carbonation (MFC) utilized microbial strains producing carbonic anhydrase (CA).
Enzymatically-facilitated carbonation (EFC) used a solution containing bovine CA enzyme, with Tris buffer enhancing efficiency.

Main Results:

Both MFC and EFC achieved up to 99% lead (Pb) removal, comparable to ureolytic methods (98%).
The proposed MFC and EFC techniques are ammonium-free and environmentally benign.
Tris buffer significantly boosted EFC efficiency for Pb removal, from 78% to 99%.

Conclusions:

Direct CO2 biocementation offers an effective and environmentally superior alternative for lead removal.
This method provides dual benefits: carbon capture via biomineralization and heavy metal remediation.
Precipitates confirmed the formation of lead and calcium carbonates (calcite, cerussite, hydrocerussite), indicating precipitation and trapping mechanisms.