Life Cycle Assessment of Biocement: An Emerging Sustainable Solution?

Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) is a natural biocementation that takes place in corals, stromatolites and beach rocks. In recent years, researchers have explored the emulation of this process as sustainable alternative engineered cement. Although undoubtedly sustainable, its variant deviates substantially from process. paper, we investigate environmental economic performance vis-à-vis present manufacturing calcium carbonate. SimaPro 8.0 software Ecoinvent V2.2 database were used for materials inputs AUSLCI along with Cumulative Energy Demand 2.01 carbon footprint eutrophication potential. Our results show different metabolic pathways MICP considerably varying impact. We observe nature performs sustainably at ambient conditions geological time scales utilizing naturally occurring sources micromoles concentrations. Due to mandate on duration construction projects, highly purified reactants high concentration are This has negative conclude sustainability directly impacted by pathway bacteria well purity input chemicals. A few biotic processes superior industrial carbonate if ingredients laboratory grade replaced products. bigger dividend can be obtained introducing industry by-products nutrients. The study help direct future research developing biocement industry.