Bioconsolidation of Stone Monuments. An Overview

Abstract

This article reviews the carbonation process through biomineralization referred to as Microbial Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICCP) for the conservation of carbonate stone monuments and historic building materials. This biological process widely occurs in nature as microbes produce inorganic materials within their basic metabolic activities. The first patent, which explained this method dates from approximately twenty-five years ago. Since then, different research groups have investigated substitute methodologies and various technical applications to provide a protective calcium carbonate layer on the surface of deteriorated historic buildings and stone monuments as well as to consolidate their inner weakened structure through this biodeposition process. The article reviews selected literature, highlights open queries and promotes discussion of a selection of issues, production mechanisms, application techniques, performance and bonding with stone structure. While many questions regarding this significant method have been focused in published sources, there are considerable possibilities for new research.

Bioconservation of Historic Stone Buildings—An Updated Review

“…There have been several strategies: the application of selected carbonatogenic bacteria to the stone, enrichment of naturally occurring carbonatogenic bacteria, application of cell-free bacterial products, and stimulation of the relevant microorganisms among those already present (autochthonous microorganisms). There have been a number of reviews covering these options in recent years [26][27][28][29][30][31]. In this bibliographic search, we have attempted to avoid the sometimes lengthy discussions of the history behind the application of the technology and its variants, along with the minutiae of the treatments, preferring to reference such studies and using Table 1 to indicate relevant aspects of the developmental research.…”

Bacterial Calcium Carbonate Mineralization in situ Strategies for Conservation of Stone Artworks: From Cell Components to Microbial Community

“…No scientific reports can be found about these treatments. At the same time, several groups have worked to improve this system by isolating and testing different microorganisms, exploring different metabolic pathways and application conditions mainly in laboratory settings, showing, in many cases, similar results (reviewed by Nazel, 2016).…”

“…Living bacteria require the application of nutrient media on the stone. The possibility of undesirable side-effects on stone is controversial and it needs to be carefully evaluated (González-Muñoz, 2008;Nazel, 2016). The metabolic pathway activated in situ is the oxidative deamination of amino acids (Table 1), which increases the alkalinity by production of ammonia (Castanier et al, 1999;Lee and Park, 2019).…”

“…The aim is dual: to provide a coherent CaCO 3 layer on the surface of deteriorated stone, protecting against the intake of water or chemicals, and to consolidate the inner, weakened structure. In literature a number of comprehensive reviews are available about biodeposition of CaCO 3 on stone and building materials, highlighting mechanisms, limitations, challenges, and perspectives of this technology (De Muynck et al, 2010;Dhami et al, 2014;Anbu et al, 2016;Nazel, 2016;Zhu and Dittrich, 2016;Castro-Alonso et al, 2019). In this mini review, we fill a literature gap, by focusing on current BCCM technologies for in situ cultural stone conservation.…”

Bioprecipitation of calcium carbonate by Bacillus subtilis and its potential to self-healing in cement-based materials

“…Exploiting the ability of bacteria to precipitate CaCO 3 has also been proposed for the repair and restoration of monuments and historic heritage buildings due to the compatibility of CaCO 3 with marble and limestone (Perito et al, 2014;Rodriguez-Navarro et al, 2012). It is important to mention that the carbonation process through biomineralization has been referred to as microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP) for the conservation of carbonate stone monuments and historic building materials (Nazel, 2016).…”