Density-dependent microbial calcium carbonate precipitation by drinking water bacteria via amino acid metabolism and biosorption. (1st September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Xiaoxia; Zarfel, Gernot; van der Weijden, Renata; Loiskandl, Willibald; Bitschnau, Brigitte; Dinkla, Inez J.T.; Fuchs, Elmar C.; Paulitsch-Fuchs, Astrid H.
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 202(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01
• Subjects: MCP -- DWDS -- Biofilm -- Scale -- Drinking water bacteria -- Opportunistic pathogen; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Highlights: Scaling of CaCO3 in undersaturated drinking water can be initiated by microbial activity. CaCO3 formation is overlooked in biofilm formation processes. Bacteria can use different mechanisms to mediate CaCO3 precipitation. Bacteria can play an active role in the microbial CaCO3 precipitation process. Different CaCO3 polymorphs can result from the microbial processes. Abstract: Drinking water plumbing systems appear to be a unique environment for microorganisms as they contain few nutrients but a high mineral concentration. Interactions between mineral content and bacteria, such as microbial calcium carbonate precipitation (MCP) however, has not yet attracted too much attention in drinking water sector. This study aims to carefully examine MCP behavior of two drinking water bacteria species, which may potentially link scaling and biofouling processes in drinking water distribution systems. Evidence from cell density evolution, chemical parameters, and microscopy suggest that drinking water isolates can mediate CaCO3 precipitation through previously overlooked MCP mechanisms like ammonification or biosorption. The results also illustrate the active control of bacteria on the MCP process, as the calcium starts to concentrate onto cell surfaces only after reaching a certain cell density, even though the cell surfaces are shown to be the ideal location for the CaCO3 nucleation. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract