• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2023

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is widely used as a construction material in road construction, concrete structures, embankments, etc. However, it has been reported that calcite (CaCO₃) precipitation from RCA can be a cause of clogging when used in drainage applications. An accelerated calcite precipitation (ACP) procedure has been devised to evaluate the long-term geochemical performance of RCA in subsurface drainage systems. While the ACP procedure was useful for the French Drain application, there remained opportunities for improvement. In this study, key factors that control the formation of calcite precipitation were quantitatively evaluated, and the results were used to improve the current prototype ACP method. A laboratory parametric study was carried out by investigating the effects of reaction temperature and time on the formation of calcite precipitation of RCA, with determining an optimum reaction temperature and time which maximizes calcite precipitation. The improved ACP procedure was then applied to RCA samples that were graded for Type I Underdrain application, to compare the calcite precipitation. Two key findings are (1) that calcite precipitation can be maximized with the optimum heating temperature (75℃) and time (17 hours), and (2) the potential for calcite precipitation from RCA is not as significant as for limestone. With the improved ACP procedure, the total amount of calcite precipitation from RCAs within the life cycle of a drain system can be determined when RCAs from different sources are used as pipe backfill materials in a drain system.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1331-1335
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• 2017

In this study, the feasibility of introducing calcite-forming bacteria into concrete pavements to improve their mechanical performance was investigated. Lysinibacillus sphaericus WJ-8, which was isolated in a previous study and is capable of exhibiting high urease activity and calcite production, was used. When analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, WJ-8 showed a significant amount of calcite precipitation. The compressive strength of cement mortar mixed with WJ-8 cells and nutrient medium (urea with calcium lactate) increased by 10% compared with that of the controls. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the increase in strength was due to the calcite formed by the WJ-8 cells.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.323-327
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• 2014

Microbially induced calcite precipitation is a naturally occurring biological process in which microbes produce calcite on the surface of the microorganisms by urease activity. In order to collect calcite forming bacteria (CFB) in Korea, we isolated 343 putative CFB strains from various environments over three year period (2011~2013) and selected 100 CFB strains. Average of calcite productivity was 10.56 mg/mL. And average of ammonium concentration by urease activity was $8.00{\mu}M$. Two useful CFB strains of the others were analyzed by 16S rRNA and identified as Sporosarcina sp. and Viridibacillus arenosi. The CFB strains presented in this study are indigenous microorganisms in Korea and they are expected to be applicable to a variety of environments in the country.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.244-247
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• 2012

To remediate lead (Pb)-contaminated soils, it is proposed that microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) would provide the best alternative to other remediation technologies. In this study, Pb bioremediation in soils was investigated using the calcite-precipitating bacterium Kocuria flava. Results indicate that the Pb is primarily associated with the carbonate fraction in bioremediated soil samples. The bioavailability of Pb in contaminated soil was reduced so that the potential stress of Pb was alleviated. This research provides insight into the geochemistry occurring in the MICP-based Pb-remediated soils, which will help in remediation decisions.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2022

Bio-CaCO₃ is a blowout environment-friendly materials for soil improvement and sealing of rock fissures. To evaluate the chemical characteristics, shape, size and productivity of soybean urease induced CaCO₃ precipitates (SUICP), experimental studies were conducted via EDS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, BET, and SEM. Also, the conversion rate of SUICP reaction at different time were determined and analyzed. The Bio-CaCO₃ product obtained by SUICP is comprehensively judged as calcite based on the results of EDS, XRD and FT-IR. The SUICP calcite precipitates are detected as spherical or ellipsoidal particles 3-6 ㎛ in diameter with nanoscale pores on their surface, and this morphology is novel. The median secondary particle size d₅₀ is 39-88 ㎛, indicating the agglomeration of the primary calcite particles. The Bio-calcite decomposes at 650-780℃, representing a medium thermal stability. The conversion rate of SUICP reaction can reach 80% in 24h, which is much more efficient than microbially induced CaCO₃ precipitation. These results reveal the knowledges of SUICP, and further direct its engineering applications. Moreover, we show an economic channel to obtain porous spherical calcite.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.09a
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• pp.219-222
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• 2004

Removal characteristics of Mn and Co was studied from the contaminated solutions via surface reaction with various calcium carbonate (calcite). Synthetic calcium carbonates which has different surface morphology as well as surface areas were prepared by a spontaneous precipitation method and used. Mn and Co removal behavior by the different solid surface demonstrate characteristic sorption behaviors depend on the type of calcite used, such as surface area or surface morphology. Calcium carbonate crystals (mostly calcite) which exhibit complicated surface morphology (c-type) shows strong sorption affinity for Mn and Co removal via sorption than on the a-type or b-type calcite crystals of less complicated surfaces. The applicability of two kinetic models, the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation and the Elovich kinetic model was examined on these sorption behavior. Elovich kinetic model was found more suitable to explain the very early stage adsorption kinetics, while the pseudo-first-order kinetic equation was successfully fitted for the adsorption kinetics after 50 hours.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.345-348
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• 2003

The bio-mediated production of calcite crystals by calcinogenic bacteria has great applicable value for the restoration of deteriorated calcareous monuments, because of its high purity and coherency. An investigation of the conditions for calcite production by an alkalophilic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CMB01 strain was made. Optimal calcite precipitation occurred when the bacterium was cultured at pH 8.0 and 30$^{\circ}C$, and in B4 medium that consisted of 0.4% yeast extract, 0.5% glucose, and 1.5% calcium acetate. Calcium ion of the bacterially induced calcite was analyzed by an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrophotometer. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the calcite revealed a typical rombohedral polycrystalline structure.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2016

Struvite (MgNH₄PO₄ ⋅ 6H₂O) and hydroxyapatite (HAP, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) precipitation in urine-separating toilets (NoMix toilets) causes severe maintenance problems and also reduce the phosphate and calcium content. Application of urine separating technique and extraction of by-products from human urine is a cost effective technique in waste water treatment. In this study, we extract urine calcite from human urine by batch scale method, using urease producing microbes to trigger the precipitation and calcite formation process. Extracted urine calcite (calcining at 800℃) is a potential adsorbent for removal of heavy metal(loid)s like (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and As³⁺) along with additional leaching analysis of total nitrogen (T-N), phosphate (T-P) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The transformations of calcite during synthesis were confirm by characterization using XRD, SEM-EDAX and FT-IR techniques. In additional, the phosphate leaching potential and adsorbate (nitrate) efficiency in aqueous solution was investigated using the calcinedurine calcite. The results indicate that the calcite was effectively remove heavy metal(loid)s lead up to 96.8%. In addition, the adsorption capacity (q_e) of calcite was calculated and it was found to be 203.64 Pb, 110.96 Cd, 96.02 Zn, 104.2 As, 149.54 Cu and 162.68 Ni mg/g, respectively. Hence, we suggest that the calcite obtain from the human urine will be a suitable absorbent for heavy metal(loid)s removal from aqueous solution.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1571-1576
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• 2010

Two bacterial strains designated as CT2 and CT5 were isolated from highly alkaline cement samples using the enrichment culture technique. On the basis of various physiological tests and 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the bacteria were identified as Bacillus species. The urease production was 575.87 U/ml and 670.71 U/ml for CT2 and CT5, respectively. Calcite constituted 27.6% and 31% of the total weight of sand samples plugged by CT2 and CT5, respectively. Scanning electron micrography analysis revealed the direct involvement of these isolates in calcite precipitation. This is the first report of the isolation and identification of Bacillus species from cement. Based on the ability of these bacteria to tolerate the extreme environment of cement, they have potential to be used in remediating the cracks and fissures in various building or concrete structures.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.547-557
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• 2010

This paper presents a study on the development of next generation smart concrete in an eco-friendly manner using micro-biologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) via microbial biomineralization. It seems that currently, the reformation and functional improvement of concrete using MICP can be achieved using Sporosarcina pasteurii, which is a representative microorganism that produces calcite precipitation. Based on previous studies on MICP the biochemical tests and crystallinity evaluation of cement using sporoasrcina pasteurii and four additional micro-organisms from the concrete structures as identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis were conducted. Also by applying the Sporosarcina pasteurii and separated four effective micro-organisms from the concrete structures to mortar, the compressive strength improvement by varying curing conditions, repair of crack were examined, and plans for future study were suggested. The effect of the application of effective micro-organisms can lead to the development of a new material that will contribute to resolution of environmental problems and facilitate repair work, and this can also serve as a new research theme in the future. In addition, the importance of this study is to use micro-organism, which is found common in concrete structures, this new microbial is not only environmentally safe but also persists in the natural environment for an extended period of time. Therefore, it seems to have a great potential to became a new environmentally low-burdened functional material.