Microbially-induced carbonate precipitation in coal-associated environments: opportunities and challenges
Tastambek K. Malik A. Akimbekov N. Digel I. Altynbay N. Nussipov D. Kamenov B. Sherelkhan D. Turaliyeva M. Wang Y. Liu X.
2026Frontiers Media SA
Frontiers in Microbiology
2026#17
Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a promising biotechnological approach for addressing coal dust pollution in mining and industrial environments. Among the various biological agents, urease-producing bacteria play a central role in catalyzing urea hydrolysis, leading to the generation of carbonate ions that react with calcium to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This biologically formed mineral binds dust particles, enhances surface stability, and reduces airborne pollutant dispersion. While MICP presents clear environmental and structural advantages, including low toxicity, long-term ecological compatibility, and compatibility with natural ecosystems, the underlying mechanisms, particularly the microbial adhesion to coal particles and subsequent mineralization dynamics, remain poorly understood. High production costs, sensitivity to environmental conditions, and lack of large-scale validation have also limited the practical implementation of microbial dust suppressants. This review provides a comprehensive look at the current research on the biological processes and application strategies of MICP in coal dust suppression, emphasizing the role of ureolytic bacteria, carrier systems, and calcium sources. Furthermore, it explores recent advancements in microbial strain selection, additive incorporation, and delivery methods that aim to optimize microbial survival and mineralization efficiency in real-world mining conditions. Future perspectives are discussed to support the development of cost-effective and scalable microbial formulations, paving the way for green and durable solutions in mine dust management. Copyright
biocementation , dust suppression , microbial-induced carbonate precipitation , urease , ureolytic bacteria
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Sustainability of Ecology and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
International Center for Islamic Science and Innovation, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ecology Research Institute, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, Kazakhstan
Institute for Bioengineering (IFB) at FH, Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Julich, Germany
Department of Biotechnology, M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, China
Sustainability of Ecology and Bioresources
International Center for Islamic Science and Innovation
Ecology Research Institute
Institute for Bioengineering (IFB) at FH
Department of Biotechnology
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026