Prospect Research on the Diversity of Extracellular Mineralization Process Induced by Mineralizing Microorganisms and Its Use as a Treatment for Soil Pollutants

Abstract

Microbial-induced mineralization is a process in which metal ions in the environment are processed by microorganisms, forming deposits of crystals with cementing and void-filling functions. Cementing crystals can fix metal ions, reduce permeability, improve soil strength, and play a positive role in soil remediation and pollution control. This paper first introduces the principle of microbial-induced mineralization and analyzes its mechanism of action in the treatment of soil organic and inorganic pollutants. Then, the mineralization principle of different types of mineralized bacteria in soil (fungal metabolism involving organic acid complexation and metabolic urease catalysis, sulfur oxidation by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, dissimilatory sulfate reduction by sulfate-reducing bacteria, ammonification by ammoniating bacteria, reverse digestion by denitrifying bacteria, urease catalysis by urease-producing bacteria, acetic acid fermentation by methanogenic bacteria, and H2/CO2 reduction) is elaborated, the influencing factors in the treatment of soil pollutants by mineralization technology in practical application are analyzed, and the current status of mineralization treatment for different types of pollutants is summarized. Finally, the future prospects of soil pollutant treatment are outlined to promote research into microbial-induced mineralization technology for the treatment of soil pollutants.