A novel microbial dissolution-reprecipitation pathway for bio-sintering of limestone for biocement production.

ABSTRACT: In nature, remarkable geological structures, such as stromatolites, thrombolites, and beachrocks, are formed through biocementation, a process involving the successive dissolution and reprecipitation of CaCO₃. This research demonstrates mimicking natural cement via bio-sintering of limestone, a process that involves successive dissolution and reprecipitation of limestone facilitated by bacteria under ambient environmental conditions. When the bacterium Acetobacter aceti (ATCC 15973) was introduced into a mixture of ethanol and limestone powder, the pH dropped rapidly, leading to the dissolution of limestone into calcium acetate. After ethanol was fully consumed, the pH gradually increased due to acetate oxidation, causing biocement crystals to precipitate. All reaction rates wer

SUBMITTER: Murugan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12740950 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature