Bioremediation of lead-contaminated mine waste by Pararhodobacter sp. based on the microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation technique and its effects on strength of coarse and fine grained sand

Lead (Pb2+) is a toxic heavy metal that has a severe negative effect on human health and the environment. Physical, chemical and biological remediation techniques have long been used to remediate lead contamination. However, because of the great danger posed by lead contamination, there is increasing interest to apply eco-friendly and sustainable methods to remediate lead. Therefore, this study was conducted to use the microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technique in conjunction with the bacterium Pararhodobacter sp. to bioremediate lead. Laboratory scale experiments were conducted and complete removal of 1036 mg/L of Pb2+ was achieved. These results were further confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which indicated coprecipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and lead. The unconfined compressive strength increased with an increase in injection interval with maximum unconfined compressive strength of 1.33 MPa for fine sand, 2.87 MPa for coarse sand and 2.80 MPa for mixed sand. For Pararhodobacter sp. to efficiently induce lead immobilisation the bacterial interval required is four times with a calcium and urea concentration of 0.5 M and bacterial concentration of 109 cfu/mL. Very few low-cost in situ heavy metal treatment processes for lead bioremediation are available; therefore, bioimmobilization of lead by MICP has the potential for application as a low-cost and eco-friendly method for heavy metal remediation.