Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T019
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, T019 (2023)
Optimization of carbonate precipitation conditions in microbial cement mortars
Martyna Janek1*, Joanna Fronczyk1, Adam Pyzik1, Maciej Szeląg2, Wojciech Franus1
1 Department of Building Materials Engineering and Geoengineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Nadbystrzycka 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of General Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Nadbystrzycka 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: m.janek@pollub.pl
Abstract
Microbially induced carbonates precipitation (MICP) is increasingly used approach to produce bio-based self-healing cement composites. The occurrence of this process requires the presence of bacteria capable of precipitating calcium carbonate and medium that initiate their activity. In this research, the efficiency of carbonate precipitation of samples containing ureolytic bacteria was assessed in two phases. Firstly, a series of solutions containing bacteria and selected medium were prepared. Evaluation of the efficiency of precipitates formation was carried out by determining the mass of precipitates and microstructure analysis. Then, cement mortar samples with bacteria immobilized on carrier material were subjected to a pre-loading, in order to facilitate artificial, repetitive cracks. Pre-cracked samples were placed in solutions containing medium analogous to those used in the first stage of the study. In order to determine the rate of the total crack area recovery, samples were cyclically scanned during treatment. Cracks analysis was conducted by digital image analysis using the ImageJ software. Measurements of the weight of precipitates showed that the addition of bacteria to each medium series increased the amount of precipitate. Analysis of healing degree of cracks treated in medium solutions indicated the influence not only of the composition, but also of the concentration of the individual components of the solutions. The highest crack repair rate, showing 100% healing, was observed for series treated in a solution containing calcium lactate, urea, calcium and magnesium nitrate. The study indicated the benefits of using ureolytic strains and the selected medium in the microbial crack repair of cement composites.
Acknowledgments: The „Fly ash as the precursors of functionalized materials for applications in environmental engineering, civil engineering and agriculture” no. POIR.04.04.00-00-14E6/18-00 project is carried out within the TEAM-NET programme of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.
How to cite
M. Janek, J. Fronczyk, A. Pyzik, M. Szeląg, W. Franus, 2023. Optimization of carbonate precipitation conditions in microbial cement mortars. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.T019