Bioconsolidation of Stone Monuments. An Overview

This article reviews the carbonation process through biomineralization referred to as Microbial Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICCP) for the conservation of carbonate stone monuments and historic building materials. This biological process widely occurs in nature as microbes produce inorganic materials within their basic metabolic activities. The first patent, which explained this method dates from approximately twenty-five years ago. Since then, different research groups have investigated substitute methodologies and various technical applications to provide a protective calcium carbonate layer on the surface of deteriorated historic buildings and stone monuments as well as to consolidate their inner weakened structure through this biodeposition process. The article reviews selected literature, highlights open queries and promotes discussion of a selection of issues, production mechanisms, application techniques, performance and bonding with stone structure. While many questions regarding this significant method have been focused in published sources, there are considerable possibilities for new research.