Process-engineered immobilization of ureolytic biocatalysts in diatomite for in-situ biomineralization under high-alkalinity solid-phase conditions.

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Title: Process-engineered immobilization of ureolytic biocatalysts in diatomite for in-situ biomineralization under high-alkalinity solid-phase conditions.
Authors: Zhang, Guang-Zhu1 (AUTHOR), Xu, Qing-Liang1 (AUTHOR), Li, Hong-Feng1 (AUTHOR), Li, Zhuo1,2 (AUTHOR) 2022112206@nefu.edu.cn
Source: Bioprocess & Biosystems Engineering. Apr2026, Vol. 49 Issue 4, p859-876. 18p.
Subjects: Diatomaceous earth, Biomineralization, Enzymes, Mechanical behavior of materials, Alkalinization, Microstructure, Calcium carbonate, Calcium hydroxide
Abstract: Problematic clays are widely stabilized with lime to improve strength and durability, yet slow early-age strength development, pronounced brittle failure, and limited densification often constrain performance in high-alkalinity environments. This study explores a synergistic route that integrates diatomite-immobilized ureolytic microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation with lime stabilization. Mixtures were prepared with 6% hydrated lime and 3 to 7% diatomite or a diatomite-based microbial curing agent; where applicable a 1.0 M urea–calcium chloride solution supplied substrates for mineralization. Mechanical properties were assessed by unconfined compressive strength, unconsolidated–undrained triaxial testing, and ultrasonic pulse velocity, and microstructure and phase assemblage were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results show clear dosage-dependent gains. At 28 d, unconfined compressive strength reached 1987.18, 2278.17, and 2563.00 kPa for 3%DE-B, 5%DE-B, and 7%DE-B, exceeding the corresponding diatomite-only groups by 75.65%, 83.17%, and 88.50%. Under 300 kPa confining pressure, cohesion increased to 382.52 to 498.72 kPa and the internal friction angle to 38.88 to 47.88°. Ultrasonic pulse velocity rose with curing age, with 7%DE-B increasing by 45.01% from 7 d to 28 d. Triaxial responses followed linear elasticity, strain hardening, peak strength, and softening, while failure shifted from through-crack brittleness to non-through diffuse cracking with pronounced bulging. Microstructural evidence indicates clustered calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) progressively encapsulating diatomite and abundant ellipsoidal CaCO₃ forming interconnected three-dimensional networks. These observations support a synergy between pozzolanic reaction and microbial mineralization that constructs a multi-scale cementation network, densifies the matrix, and strengthens interparticle contacts, yielding reproducible improvements in strength, ductility, and structural integrity. These results provide reference value for performance enhancement and process optimization of lime-stabilized clays and cementation-enhanced clay systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Bioprocess & Biosystems Engineering is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Process-engineered immobilization of ureolytic biocatalysts in diatomite for in-situ biomineralization under high-alkalinity solid-phase conditions.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhang%2C+Guang-Zhu%22">Zhang, Guang-Zhu</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Xu%2C+Qing-Liang%22">Xu, Qing-Liang</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Hong-Feng%22">Li, Hong-Feng</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Li%2C+Zhuo%22">Li, Zhuo</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> 2022112206@nefu.edu.cn</i>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Problematic clays are widely stabilized with lime to improve strength and durability, yet slow early-age strength development, pronounced brittle failure, and limited densification often constrain performance in high-alkalinity environments. This study explores a synergistic route that integrates diatomite-immobilized ureolytic microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation with lime stabilization. Mixtures were prepared with 6% hydrated lime and 3 to 7% diatomite or a diatomite-based microbial curing agent; where applicable a 1.0 M urea–calcium chloride solution supplied substrates for mineralization. Mechanical properties were assessed by unconfined compressive strength, unconsolidated–undrained triaxial testing, and ultrasonic pulse velocity, and microstructure and phase assemblage were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results show clear dosage-dependent gains. At 28 d, unconfined compressive strength reached 1987.18, 2278.17, and 2563.00 kPa for 3%DE-B, 5%DE-B, and 7%DE-B, exceeding the corresponding diatomite-only groups by 75.65%, 83.17%, and 88.50%. Under 300 kPa confining pressure, cohesion increased to 382.52 to 498.72 kPa and the internal friction angle to 38.88 to 47.88°. Ultrasonic pulse velocity rose with curing age, with 7%DE-B increasing by 45.01% from 7 d to 28 d. Triaxial responses followed linear elasticity, strain hardening, peak strength, and softening, while failure shifted from through-crack brittleness to non-through diffuse cracking with pronounced bulging. Microstructural evidence indicates clustered calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) progressively encapsulating diatomite and abundant ellipsoidal CaCO₃ forming interconnected three-dimensional networks. These observations support a synergy between pozzolanic reaction and microbial mineralization that constructs a multi-scale cementation network, densifies the matrix, and strengthens interparticle contacts, yielding reproducible improvements in strength, ductility, and structural integrity. These results provide reference value for performance enhancement and process optimization of lime-stabilized clays and cementation-enhanced clay systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Bioprocess & Biosystems Engineering is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s00449-026-03290-1
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 859
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Diatomaceous earth
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biomineralization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Enzymes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mechanical behavior of materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alkalinization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Microstructure
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Calcium carbonate
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Calcium hydroxide
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Process-engineered immobilization of ureolytic biocatalysts in diatomite for in-situ biomineralization under high-alkalinity solid-phase conditions.
        Type: main
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            NameFull: Zhang, Guang-Zhu
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            NameFull: Xu, Qing-Liang
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            NameFull: Li, Hong-Feng
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            NameFull: Li, Zhuo
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            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 49
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            – TitleFull: Bioprocess & Biosystems Engineering
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