Reaction principle, deposition and failure mechanisms and theory of biomineralization: Progress and Challenges

Biomineralization is an integral part of geological evolution and carbon-nitrogen cycle, it has brought new opportunities and challenges for the geotechnical, water conservancy and environmental fields. The inspired bio-geotechnical technology represented by MICP process has become one of the most innovative technological topics in environmental geotechnical engineering. In the last two decades, bio-geotechnical technology has made significant progress from the proof-of-concept phase to the technology demonstration in relevant environments. In order to promote more comprehensive and in-depth basic understanding and researches on this topic, a systematic review of the MICP technology was performed in this paper, focusing on the following three parts: the biochemical principle of urease-producing bacteria induced biomineralization, the precipitation pattern and the failure mechanism of bio-cemented soil, and the theory of biomineralization reaction under the multi-physics coupling effect of bio-chemo-hydro-mechanical model. Furthermore, the current problems and challenges of bio-geotechnical technology are summarized, and potential research hotspots and application prospects are discussed.