Recent research has discovered that soil microbe Bacillus megaterium can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into solid calcium carbonate through a process that doesn’t create toxic byproducts.
The research, published in Nature magazine, sheds light on findings that pave the way for a broader industrial application of this breakthrough that could transform the decarbonization sector.
During the assessment, the research team conducted an experiment in which Bacillus megaterium was exposed to CO2 gas at high pressures.
In this process, performed in pressurized lab flasks, the soil bacterium demonstrated the ability to extract more than 94% of the carbon directly from the gas, surpassing the capability of most conventional CO2-sorbing materials.
This remarkable efficiency rate signals great potential for Bacillus megaterium revolutionizing point-source capture, especially for emission-heavy industries like cement and steel manufacturing.
Additionally, the process in which the microbe efficiently converted CO2 into limescale is biological and doesn’t generate harmful byproducts that demand additional processing and handling.
Typically, Bacillus megaterium participates in a process called ureolysis in which urea is split to increase pH levels and promote calcite formation. This, in turn, creates ammonia, which requires additional costs to be treated.
However, the recent research work found that when exposed to high CO2 concentrations, the bacterium switches to using an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase that hydrates carbon dioxide to form bicarbonate.
This change not only increased the efficiency of carbon sequestration, but it also avoided the creation of ammonia, offering a sustainable pathway for addressing CO2.
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In a big-picture perspective, this decarbonization method could be integrated seamlessly into already existing industrial processes, introducing a next-gen, enhanced-efficiency emissions management.
Tests conducted by researchers at Newcastle University suggest that this method could be adapted to different industrial settings, while Switzerland-based company Medusoil is already piloting this approach through bioreactors that inject Bacillus megaterium into crushed rock to create load-bearing blocks.
While work is still needed to further prove feasibility, soil microbe Bacillus megaterium could be marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in climate efforts.
Read more: Microsoft Commits To 2.6M Tons Of Soil Carbon Removal Credits
