Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
Basics of Construction Microbial
Biotechnology
V. Ivanov, J. Chu and V. Stabnikov
Abstract Construction Microbial Biotechnology is a new area of science and
engineering that includes microbially-mediated construction processes and
microbial production of construction materials. Low cost, sustainable, and envi-
ronmentally-friendly microbial cements, grouts, polysaccharides, and bioplastics
are useful in construction and geotechnical engineering. Construction-related
biotechnologies are based on activity of different microorganisms: urease-pro-
ducing, acidogenic, halophilic, alkaliphilic, denitrifying, iron- and sulfate-reducing
bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, microscopic fungi. The bio-related materials and
processes can be used for the bioaggregation, soil biogrouting and bioclogging,
biocementation, biodesaturation of water-satured soil, bioencapsulation of soft
clay, biocoating, and biorepair of the concrete surface. Construction Microbial
Biotechnology is progressing toward commercial products and large-scale appli-
cations. The biotechnologically produced materials and construction-related
microbial biotechnologies have a lot of advantages over conventional construction
materials and processes.
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