Using microbial induced calcite precipitation by indigenous soil bacteria to reduce the mobility of lead in soil

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of using microbial induced calcite precipitation by indigenous soil bacteria to reduce the mobility of lead in contaminatedsoils and collect metal adapted ureolytic strains from the soil that can potentially be used as exogenous organisms for bioremediations. Lead contamination of soil poses a risk to the health of humans, animals and environment. Humans can uptake lead by inhalation or ingestion. In situ remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil has lower energy and labor costs. The disturbance to the environment and workers exposure to toxic metals is much lower than during the excavation, removal, and storage of contaminated soil. The EPA identified three effective in situ methods to remediate lead and other heavy metals. Those methods include the installation of physical barriers, mechanically adding solidifying or stabilizing agents to reduce the mobility of metals, and