ASSESSMENT OF UREASE ACTIVITY AND BIOMINERALIZATION CAPACITY OF COAL-DERIVED MICROORGANISMS IN MICROBIALLY INDUCED CALCIUM CARBONATE PRECIPITATION (MICP)

Authors

DOI:

10.26577/EJE87220262

Abstract

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a promising, environmentally friendly technology for soil stabilization, dust suppression, and material strengthening. In this study, microbial communities isolated from coal samples collected at the Kiyakty coal deposit (Ulytau region, Kazakhstan) were investigated for their urease activity and biomineralization potential.

A total of 34 bacterial isolates were obtained and subjected to morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization. Based on preliminary screening, 12 isolates with the highest adaptive and metabolic potential were selected for further investigation. Urease activity was quantified using a microplate colorimetric method based on the indophenol reaction. In addition, the effects of key environmental factors, including pH and calcium chloride concentration, on microbial activity and mineralization efficiency were evaluated.

The selected isolates exhibited high urease activity and demonstrated the ability to induce calcium carbonate precipitation under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, their capacity for biofilm formation, redox activity, and oxidative enzyme production was confirmed, indicating a strong potential for surface colonization and mineral nucleation.

Mineralized products were characterized using a комплекс analytical approach, and the degree of mineralization was quantitatively assessed. The results indicate that coal-derived microorganisms possess significant potential for application in microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP)-based technologies, particularly for dust suppression and stabilization of coal substrates.

This study provides a scientific basis for the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions in mining and environmental engineering.

Keywords: microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), urease activity, coal microorganisms, biomineralization, urease-producing bacteria.

Author Biographies

  • Ажар Мәлік, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Malik Azhar Malikkyzy is a young scientist, microbiologist, majoring in biotechnology. Malik Azhar Malikkyzy was born in 1994 in the city of Almaty, Auezov district. Azhar Malikkyzy graduated from the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2016 with a degree in Biotechnology, continued her studies in the magistracy (2016-2018) and doctoral studies (2019-2022). In addition, Malik A. M. in 2020 received the award "Best Young Scientist - 2020" of the CIS, Nur-Sultan. Today, despite the fact that Azhar is a young scientist in science, she is the author of more than 50 scientific papers, 2 monographs, 2 patents of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including 2 international journals. In addition, based on the results of the study, a patent for the invention "Method of microbiological destruction of pesticides" was obtained from 34115 to 01/09/2020. Participated in scientific projects: "Comprehensive assessment of the impact of non-utilized and banned pesticides on the genetic status and health of the population of the Almaty region: Determination of the microbial diversity of the territory adjacent to the burial sites of pesticides, screening of microorganisms-destructors of chemical pollutants" (2018-2020), "Development biotechnologies for obtaining a highly active preparation "biohumus-plus" based on oxidized brown coal and a zoomicrobial consortium" (2019-2020), "Development of a biotechnology for obtaining environmentally friendly, smokeless briquetted fuel based on brown coal of the Lengersky coal deposit and surfactant-synthesizing microorganisms for fuel and energy efficient use" (2019-2020), "Design of yeast consortiums for the production of feed proteins based on whey and vegetable raw materials" (2020-2021), "Production of bioethanol by continuous fermentation of whey using immobilized yeast cells" (2021-2023). Passed scientific internships 07.31.2017 - 08.12.2017. at the Technical University in Prague. Prague, Czech Republic (Prague, Czech Republic), 12/13/2021-03/05/2022 at the University of Kocaeli. Kocaeli, Türkiye (Department of Biotechnology).

  • Nuraly Akimbekov, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    PhD, Professor, Research Institute of “Sustainability of Ecology and Bioresources”

  • Kuanysh Tastambek, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    PhD, director, SRI Sustainability of ecology and bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

  • Zauzat Nuzhankyzy, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    2nd year master's student of the Department of Biotechnology Al-Farabi KazNU

  • Symbat Zhapargali, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    2nd year master's student of the Department of Biotechnology Al-Farabi kaznu

  • Ilya Digel, Institute for Bioengineering (IFB) at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Julich, Germany

    Institute for Bioengineering (IFB) at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences (Julich, Germany)

  • Bekzat Кamenov, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Senior Researcher at the Scientific Research Center of the International Center for Islamic Science and Innovation

  • Nazyn Altynbay, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Senior Researcher at the Scientific Research Center of the International Center for Islamic Science and Innovation

  • Dinara Sherelkhan, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, senior lecturer of the Department of fundamental medicine

Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 87 No. 2 (2026): Eurasian Journal of Ecology

Section

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

How to Cite

ASSESSMENT OF UREASE ACTIVITY AND BIOMINERALIZATION CAPACITY OF COAL-DERIVED MICROORGANISMS IN MICROBIALLY INDUCED CALCIUM CARBONATE PRECIPITATION (MICP). (2026). Eurasian Journal of Ecology, 87(2). https://doi.org/10.26577/EJE87220262