Integrating Microbial and Biomass Technologies for the Development of Sustainable Bio-Based Concrete
Abstract
The construction industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions and resource depletion, which makes it essential to develop sustainable alternatives to conventional concrete. This study investigates the potential of bio-based improvements, focusing on microbial induced calcite precipitation, algae-based carbon dioxide sequestration, and biochar incorporation. Microbial induced calcite precipitation uses Sporosarcina pasteurii to form calcium carbonate within the concrete matrix, enhancing self-healing ability and structural strength. Algae-based admixtures derived from Chlorella vulgaris promote natural carbon absorption during curing and improve hydration and setting characteristics. Biochar produced from agricultural residues serves as a carbon storage additive that enhances durability, thermal performance, and water retention.
Four concrete mixes were prepared and examined for compressive and flexural strength, permeability, water absorption, and environmental performance. The experimental results showed that bio-enhanced concretes achieved superior mechanical strength and lower carbon impact compared to the control mix, with microbial concrete showing about fifteen percent higher compressive strength and biochar concrete exhibiting a twenty percent reduction in water absorption. These findings demonstrate that integrating biological and biomass-based materials into concrete production can create durable, self-improving, and environmentally responsible construction materials suitable for sustainable infrastructure.
Keywords
Downloads
Full Research Paper
Complete research article with detailed methodology, results, and references.
How to Cite
APA Style:
Ajayi, D., Oseni, T., Nwankwo, C., Ibitayo, F.J., Odia, A., Ajibola, E., & Anyaehie, B. (2025). Integrating Microbial and Biomass Technologies for the Development of Sustainable Bio-Based Concrete. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, 1(8), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17597127
IEEE Style:
D. Ajayi, T. Oseni, C. Nwankwo, F.J. Ibitayo, A. Odia, E. Ajibola, and B. Anyaehie, "Integrating Microbial and Biomass Technologies for the Development of Sustainable Bio-Based Concrete," International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, vol. 1, no. 8, pp. 1-8, 2025. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17597127
References
- H. Patel, R. Nair, and M. Sharma, "Metabolic insights into microbially induced calcite formation by Sporosarcina pasteurii," Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 15, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1196579
- H. Wang and S. Wang, "Applications of microbial precipitation induced in calcium carbonate historical architecture restoration – a mini review," Journal of Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience, vol. 6, Art. no. 12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://jipr.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43065-024-00125-3
- H.-J. Chen, Y.-H. Lo, C.-W. Tang, and H.-W. Chang, "Applying MICP technology to improve the bond strength of lightweight aggregate concrete after high-temperature damage," Applied Sciences, vol. 14, no. 4, p. 1416, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/4/1416
- A. Kumar, S. Joshi, and V. Ramesh, "The potential of microalgae for carbon capture and sequestration," Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, vol. 12, no. 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667041024000053
- L. Zhang, H. Rao, X. Liu, and K. Tan, "A review of algae-based carbon capture, utilization, and storage," Carbon Research, vol. 4, no. 4, p. 24, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5628/4/4/24
- P. Roy, R. Shinde, and T. Mukherjee, "Microalgae-integrated building enclosures: A nature-based solution for carbon sequestration," Frontiers in Built Environment, vol. 11, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbuil.2024.1574582
- S. Gupta and V. Singh, "Biochar-concrete: A comprehensive review of properties, production, and sustainability," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 420, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221450952400010X
- M. Lin, K. Zhou, L. Tang, and Y. Chen, "Biochar-enhanced carbon-negative and sustainable cement composites," Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 23, p. 10162, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/23/10162
- R. Das and N. Sharma, "Enhancing CO₂ sequestration through corn stalk biochar-enhanced mortar: A synergistic approach with algal growth," Sustainability, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 342, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/342
- F. Wang and J. Li, "Mixture of biochar as a green additive in cement-based materials for CO₂ sequestration," Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Construction, vol. 58, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://jmsg.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40712-024-00170-y
- M. Lopez, T. Kwon, and J. Peters, "Durability performance of MICP-treated concrete in chloride-rich marine environments," Materials and Structures, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 511–524, 2024.
- R. Singh, K. Anand, and A. Ghosh, "Performance evaluation of algae-integrated concrete under arid conditions," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 81, 2024.
- M. Hassan, F. Noor, and A. Pillai, "Thermal performance and permeability reduction in coconut shell biochar concrete," Energy and Buildings, vol. 296, p. 113512, 2024.
- A. Ali and M. Mehta, "Kinetics of microbially induced self-healing in bio-concrete," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 438, 2024.
- N. Verma, R. Patel, and M. Shukla, "Life cycle assessment of biochar and algae-based concrete: A comparative study," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 184, p. 113562, 2024.
