Removal of high concentrations of zinc, cadmium, and nickel heavy metals by Bacillus and Comamonas through microbially induced carbonate precipitation

Rajasekar, A., Zhao, C., Wu, S., Tackmore Murava, R., Norgbey, E., Omoregie, A. and K.S. Moy, C. (2025) Removal of high concentrations of zinc, cadmium, and nickel heavy metals by Bacillus and Comamonas through microbially induced carbonate precipitation. Biodegradation, 36. 40. ISSN 1572-9729 doi: 10.1007/s10532-025-10131-7

Abstract/Summary

Heavy metal pollution in urban freshwater, driven by anthropogenic activities, poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to its toxicity and persistence. Recently, urease-producing bacteria have gained attention for their ability to remove heavy metals through microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP). In this study, eight urease-producing bacteria were exposed to individual solutions of zinc (Zn2+), cadmium (Cd2+), and nickel (Ni2+) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 6 mM to assess their resistance. Three strains—Bacillus subtilis HMZC1 (B2), Bacillus sp. HMZCSW (B6), and Comamonas sp. HMZC (B11)—survived at 4 mM and 6 mM, while most others could not tolerate 4 mM. Their urea-degrading ability was tested at different pH levels, identifying an optimal pH of 7 for MICP. Heavy metal carbonate precipitation experiments at 4 mM and 6 mM revealed that all three strains achieved > 93% removal of Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ within 72 h. Comamonas sp. HMZC exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving > 95% removal of certain heavy metals at 6 mM. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in heavy metal removal efficiencies among the strains for certain treatment conditions (Cd2+ and Zn2+ at 4 mM), although not all comparisons reached statistical significance. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction confirmed the morphology and composition of the precipitated heavy metal carbonates. Our findings demonstrate that urease-producing bacteria can effectively immobilize multiple heavy metals, highlighting the MICP process as a practical and sustainable biological approach for ecological restoration and wastewater treatment.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/122522
Identification Number/DOI	10.1007/s10532-025-10131-7
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science
Publisher	Springer
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