Soil Bacteria Converts CO₂ to Stone in 24 Hours, Offering Breakthrough for Carbon Capture
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📰 The quick summary: Scientists have discovered a common soil bacterium, Bacillus megaterium, that can transform carbon dioxide into solid limestone within 24 hours, offering a promising natural solution to industrial emissions reduction.
📈 One key stat: Bacillus megaterium extracted more than 94% of carbon directly from gas in pressurized chambers, demonstrating an efficiency that surpasses most existing carbon-sorbing materials.
💬 One key quote: “When powered by renewable electricity, these microbial systems could capture carbon for less than $50 per metric ton, a competitive rate compared to conventional chemical scrubbers.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists have discovered that Bacillus megaterium, a common soil bacterium, can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into solid limestone within a single day. This breakthrough offers a natural alternative to expensive carbon capture technologies that billionaires have invested in. The bacteria uses a specialized enzyme called carbonic anhydrase to transform CO2 into bicarbonate, which then combines with calcium to create solid rock without producing harmful byproducts. This microbial technology holds particular promise for high-emission industries like cement and steel manufacturing, where point-source carbon capture is most needed.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This bacterial process represents a significant leap forward in making carbon capture more practical and affordable. Unlike traditional methods, Bacillus megaterium avoids toxic byproducts, making it environmentally friendly from start to finish. The resulting calcium carbonate can replace traditional cement, addressing emissions from one of the world’s largest carbon-producing industries. Pilot studies show concrete fortified with this microbial calcite maintains more than 98% of its strength even after 300 freeze-thaw cycles. With capture costs potentially below $50 per ton when powered by renewable energy, this innovation makes permanent carbon sequestration economically viable for the first time.
3️⃣ What’s next: Startups like Medusoil are already developing pilot bioreactors that inject the bacteria into crushed rock to create load-bearing construction blocks. Researchers are exploring ways to insert the key enzyme into other bacteria for specialized industrial applications. Using waste sources like mine tailings or recycled concrete could further reduce the environmental impact while scaling up this technology.
Read the full story here: Sustainability Times – “Nature Just Did What Billionaires Couldn’t”: This Bizarre Bacteria Traps CO₂ Forever by Turning It to Stone in a Single Day
