Sporosarcina pasteurii use in extreme alkaline conditions for recycling solid industrial wastes

The ureolytic bacteria are one of the most efficient organisms able to produce high amounts of carbonate that easily react with the free calcium ions from the environment. Sporosarcina pasteurii, a robust microbe in alkaline environments, was tested in this work for its potential use in an eco-cementation process that involves the biomediated calcite precipitation (BCP). Bacterial behavior in extreme alkaline environment (pH values of 9-13) was tested in controlled laboratory conditions and in the presence of solid industry wastes, such as Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) and Lime Kiln Dust (LKD), by evaluating the enzymatic activity and the calcite precipitation capacity. Grain consolidation potential of S. pasteurii was tested for one type of CKD mixed with ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), with possible bioclogging and biocementation applications. The results revealed the formation of stable biocalcite in the presence of CKD, with a performance depending on the pH-value and free calcium ion content. The BCP induced by S. pasteurii and the recycling of solid wastes, such as CKD with high lime content, is a promising way for different bioclogging and biocementation applications, with benefits in construction costs and reduction of environmental pollution. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.