SOLIDIFYING THE GROUND BY ENZYME-INDUCED-CALCITE-PRECIPITATION: A REVIEW
Subrata Bhattacharya
Guide: Dr. Abir Sarkar
Department of Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering)
Swami Vivekananda University
ABSTRACT
Enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP) is a promising biotechnological process that harnesses the power of enzymatic reactions to control and manipulate the formation of calcite minerals. Calcite, a crystalline form of calcium carbonate, is a ubiquitous mineral with significant applications in various fields, including construction, environmental remediation, and biomedical engineering. The conventional methods for calcite formation often involve harsh chemical conditions, which are not environmentally friendly and may have limited control over the crystal morphology.
EICP offers a sustainable and controllable approach for calcite precipitation by utilizing enzymes as catalysts. Enzymes are highly specific and efficient biocatalysts that can accelerate the conversion of reactants into desired products under mild conditions. In the context of calcite precipitation, enzymes can promote the transformation of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions into solid calcite crystals, while also influencing crystal growth, size, and shape.
This abstract presents an overview of enzyme-induced calcite precipitation, including the key enzymes involved, the underlying mechanisms, and the potential applications of this technique. It discusses the various enzymes that have been employed in EICP, such as carbonic anhydrase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase, and their specific roles in catalyzing the formation of calcite. Moreover, the abstract explores the factors influencing enzyme activity and calcite morphology, including pH, temperature, substrate concentration, and enzyme concentration.
Furthermore, the abstract highlights the applications of EICP in different fields. For instance, in the construction industry, EICP can be utilized for soil stabilization, concrete reinforcement, and crack repair. In environmental remediation, it can aid in the sequestration of heavy metals and the immobilization of contaminants. Additionally, EICP holds promise in biomedical engineering for bone regeneration, drug delivery systems, and bioactive coatings.
In conclusion, enzyme-induced calcite precipitation presents a novel and environmentally friendly approach for controlling and manipulating the formation of calcite minerals. With further research and development, EICP has the potential to revolutionize various industries by offering sustainable and tailored solutions for a wide range of applications.
Keywords: Bio-technology; Precipitation; Urease; Soil stabilization; Ground improvement; Urea hydrolysis; Calcium carbonate
